CMNH_HCA_B01_031

31

of this kind of material it might be better
to purchase it from Mr. Smith; it might
be better economy to do this than to em-
ploy his time, for which we pay, in
collecting such material a new. He could
thus be employed in collecting other
material which we have not in the
museum. However, he wishes me to
state that he wil do what he can
to get together specimens of this kind.

It will be difficult to form a
collection of birds eggs and nests this
year; the nesting season for most species
is past. A new collection of old nests
would have no value. Nests and eggs
are better collected together with the
birds. No provision has been made for
bird hunting or collecting. We are waiting
to hear from Mr. Warren through Mr. W[ ]m.
Mr. Smith cannot well collect birds
because of his deafness. This work has
been done in the past by Mrs. Smith.

Something may be done in collecting
nests of field mice, squirrels, and other
small mammalia. Large specimens
of this character such as the houses
of muskrats, beaver, etc, are commonly
prepared for museums by skilled
taxidermists. They are favorite subjects
for group or environment cases. They are