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1236 a
Smithsonian Inst Washington. Oct. 24. 56
Dear Robert:
I have not yet received the order from the commissioner about your article on quardupeds but I think he will give it: at any rate there will be but little risk in going ahead
The article should detail all the habits and peculiarities of the species, as fully as possible, giving information for the farmer as well as naturalist, and omitting no fact however apparently trivial.
Of course include all species of any bearing upon the farmers interests, those injurious as well as beneficial - moles, mice, [illegible] bats, (eat insects) &c
I think at first it will be best to confine attention mainly to the animals of your own region, say Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan &c. Dont
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compile from Aud. Bach. Issue a card in Prairie farmer asking information on your own animals. Never mind naming species of other localities in lists.
The article had better not exceed 30 pages; if unavoidably longer, they may yet accomodate it. I suppose if done by March 1s', it will be time enough.
Whenever you have facts on the animals of the east or south not in Aud. Bach. - give them by all means. Do not duplicate their accounts except in corroboration or your own personal observations.
I will put in all the Scientifc - Names - so dont trouble yourself about that
Very likely Mus michiganenses eats insects
The long tailed jumping mouse is what you mean by Gerbillus canadensis more properly Jaculus labradorius
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1236 b
The Black squirrel with all hairs lustrous & uniform black to the roots is the S. niger of authors, more properly S. pennsylvanius. The one with faint annulations in the black of the hairs is the S. migratorius, black [illegible].
The gray squirrel of S. Illinois is probably S. migratorius
Your black bellied squirrel is not a cross, but a variety of the Fox squirrel. I have not yet ascetained or decided what this is exactly.
Look sharp to ascertain about the barking of trees by the Fox squirrel
You need not give the history of the naming or discoverer of each animal except in a very general way. Give the habits as fully as you can.
Yours in great haste S.F. Baird
Robt. Kennicott Ill