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[printed letterhead]
No. [written] 1455 [printed] Smithsonian Institution,
[written] 3
[printed] Washington, D. C.

[written]
In reply to one question, do not
trouble yourself about Cotton rat,
or the like: Confine yourself strictly
to Illinois mammals, or such
^{conspicuous species} as belong to the western prairies,
very few of which are not found
in Illinois. Give a short article
on the Prairie dog, as I want to
put in a figure taken from our living
one. Dont touch any peculiar
New York, Penna or other extra
[illegible] regions.

I sent you the list of Ill.
Mammals in my last.

Putorius agilis has a longer
tail and is smaller than
P. noveboracensis

I had a very kind letter
from your father a short time ago.
Will you let him read this (if he
can!) as a reply to it?

Yours sincerely
S.F. Baird

Robt. Kennicott
Chicago