6542 Lime Street, Vancouver 14, B.C.
July 25. 1952.
Dear Dr. Harrison,
I have been intending writing for some time to thank you for your letter of May 18th. and for the parcel containing the
Bucephala, Tadorna and Burhinus. All nice specimens and all of which I am very glad to have. The Stone Curlew is of
particular interest to me, never having had the opportunity before of examining one of this race. I note that the white
circular spot on the side of the head of your Goldeneye is much smaller than that of our local bird. I wonder if this is
consistent.
Your letter of July 4th. has recently come and I sincerely hope that you and the boys may have a very happy and
successful collecting trip through France & Spain. Do you ever use very fine brass wire for snaring? Sometimes it is
very effective and above all is silent. Years ago I used both a catapult and a Micmac bow and arrows, these latter ere
long, smooth and with a heavy blunt end and many a bird and squirrel fell to them. In bygone days the Indians used this
type of arrow for shooting Willow Grouse and Hares for the pot. Now the .22 has replaced the bow.
Yes, when the ducks again come south I will make up a sample of two for you prepared for mounting and will be glad
of your comments on their suitability.
In answer to your questions I would like specimens of the following
Fulica atra.
Crux crux F.
Falco tinunculus F.
Calidris maratima.
Charadrius h. hiaticula.
And as for the small passerines I would be glad of a good specimen of ad. male Embereza s. schoeniceus in bright
spring plumage. In fact I would like examples of all your Embereza with the exception of the Yellow Bunting and the
Snow FInch of which I have ample series.
Here is a fresh list of some of my disiderata,
Mergus m. merganser rough skinned and boraxed will be okay.
Mergus albellus F.
Aythya ferina
Netta rufina,
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax,
Pastor roseus,
Oriolus oriolus,
Culicicapa ceylonensis,
Chloris chloris,
Carduelis carduelis,
Acanthis flammea,
Serinus citrinella,
Lullula arborea,
Eremophila alpestris,
Anthus spp.,
Tichodroma muraria,
Carduelis cannabina,
Serinus serinus,
Carpodacus erythrinus,
Loxia curvirostra,
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Edinburgh for one year.
This has been a rather tough spring and summer and I could not make the contemplated trip up north, but may be able to
make it next month.
Please ask David if there are any mammals he would like from British Columbia and if therea re to please send a list of
his desiderata.
With kindest regards,
Sincerely yours,
Kenneth Racey
P.S.
Since writing the above the parcel containing the Bohemian Waxwing and the Little Gull has come. Many thanks. They
are most interesting and I will examine them with great interest.
K.R.
Please let me know if there are any Swail birds [ILLEGIBLE] you desire [ILLEGIBLE]

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