Transcribe Lucas, Fred A. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1882-03-06)

ybg Ward's Natural Science Establishment, No. 2 College Avenue (opposite University), </em Rochester, N. Y. > Mar 6 1882

                                         "    15

Dear Prof. Ward.

    Your letter of the 26th came

before. I had answered the previous one and now I will tackle No 2. As I surmised the Duke of York birds - especially the Pigeons - were tough cus- tomers, but with Webster's skill they came out all right. The mammals are wretched. Have tried three Cusci which made fair specimens, and the Bats came out so so. But the Kangaroos are </u bad >. Have tried two, one of which went to pieces altogether, the other coming out about third class. As I before remarked you paid for the Duke of York skins all that they were worth and a little more. The instructions in regard to Taxidermists work have been in the main anticipated, all of the forms you mention having been mounted some time ago, partly to supply work and partly to get an idea of the quality of the skins. I regret to say that the Apteryx Mantelli and Ocydromus skins have apparently been prepared with nothing, for when relaxed the feathers fall out badly - don't say that they always do for I have