Great Nebraska

• Lawrence Bruner, Letter, 1903, Jan. 2
• Lawrence Bruner, Letter, 1903, Jan. 7
• Lawrence Bruner, Letter, 1903, Jan. 7 (2)
• Lawrence Bruner, Letter, 1903, Jan. 21

1903, Jan. 2

Jan. 2, 1903.
Dr. W. H. Valway

38 Miles Park

Cleveland, Ohio.
My dear Sir:-

Your favor of December 19th addressed to Dr. Benjamin Andrews has been referred to me for reply.

The state has not published anything in the way of a catalogue or other work on the ornithology of Nebraska, but some years ago I made a report of our birds that was published in the Annual Report of the State Horticultural Society, however, I think this paper is now out of print. The Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union has published three annual proceedings which can be obtained for $1.50. Aside from this method of securing them they might be obtained from a member who was willing to go into his pocket by and buy the same. The horticultural report which contained my report was the one for 1895. By writing the secretary of this society, C.H. Barnard, Table Rock, Nebr. you would be able to learn whether or not copies still remain.
Very truly yours,

1903, Jan. 7

Lincoln, Nebr. Jan.7, 1903.
Mr. A. O. Ball,

Kalton, Utah.
My Dear Sir:-

Your favor of Jan. 5th addressed to the postmaster of this city has been handed to us for reply.

There are only a few individuals in the state of Nebraska who are doing anything privately in the way of building up a collection of birds; but quite a number of persons are interested in this kind of work in connection with some institution of learning. In fact, our game laws prevent the making of private bird collections without some special permit.

We have an organization of persons who are interested in bird studies which numbers about 150 members. This is called the Nebraska Ornithologist’s Union.
Your very truly,

1903, Jan. 7

Lincoln, Nebr. Jan. 7, 1903.
Margaret Read, New York City.
Dear Miss:-

I am pleased to have your favor of the 4th instant before me, for it shows that t [sic] least one more person than I already know of is interested in the furthering of bird tudy [sic] in the state.

I very much like your idea of starting a typical collection of birds mounted and rranged [sic] so as to make it of the greatest use in furthering the study of these creatures. y [sic] all means use our Nebraska birds for the purpose; and start with the commoner and best arked [sic] kinds.

A Mr. J. E. Wallars of 605 So. 13th St., Omaha, has a fairly good assortment of ell [sic] mounted birds on hand. Besides he is a good workman and could add others if it would e [sic] desired.

By the way, why not become an associate member of the Nebraska Ornithologist’s Union and receive the publications of this organization? The annual dues are but 50 cents, and the publications of the proceedings are worth fully that sum.
Yours very truly,

1903, Jan. 21

Jan. 21, 1903.
Governor Mickey,

City.
My dear Governor;-

You are no doubt aware of the interest I have taken in bird protection, and therefore perhaps know that I am much concerned about the Game Warden, whose duty it is to look after the enforcement of game laws in the state. I have been watching carefully during the past two years, and think that I can very conscientiously recommend the present special deputy, Mr. George Simpkins as a suitable person for the position during the present and next year.
Very truly yours,

State Entomologist.

1903, Jan. 22

[?]nder S. Keyser.
723 South Fifth Street.
Atchison, Kansas.
Jan 29, 1903

Jan. 22, 1903.

Prof. L. Bruner
Lincoln, Nebr.

My Dear Sir:
In correspondence with Prof. Wells W. Cooke, of Washington City, D. C., I am referred to you relative to making an expedition to Central America for purposes of bird study. In the first place, I desire to say that I am no collector, but simply a student of birds in the field and a writer on their habits. This you will note by the enclosed circulars descriptive of my books.

However, it would afford me much pleasure to be able to join an expedition to Central America if one of the kind is to be formed. I recognize the value of scientific collecting for purposes of accuracy. However, my general idea would be to spend a year in the country named, studying the birds with the field-glass, and writing up their habits, etc., the articles to be published in a book something like my “Birds of the Rockies.” No popular book has yet been issued on the avi-fauna of Central America, and I believe that such a volume would prove of peculiar interest. In all my work I desire to be scientifically accurate, and hence would appreciate being connected with a scientific ex-

[?]er S. Keyser.
43 South Fifth Street,
Atchison, Kansas.

pedition of some kind.

As is the case with most observers, the money question is the chief obstacle to my taking such a trip. If it were not for that obstacle, I think I should make the venture independently.

Would you have any plan to suggest?

Hoping I am not troubling you too much, I remain
Very sincerely yours,
Leander S. Keyser

1903, Jan. 26

Feb 9 Ans’d
Ezra P. Savage, Commissioner
Geo. P. Simpkins Chief Deputy
Lincoln, Neb.
W. J. O’Brien Supt. Matheries
South Bend, Neb.

Nebraska Game and Fish Commission.
Lincoln, Nebraska.

January 26, 1903.

Prof. Lawrence Bruner,
University of Nebraska,
Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dear Sir;-
Enclosed you will find permits to take specimens of game and fish, song, insectivorous and other birds, as per your request recently. Please do not forget when delivering these to the gentlemen, that at the expiration, they will be called upon to make a detailed statement of specimens taken under their permit, also enclosed you will find invouce to the amount of $5.00 expense for issuing same. Please make warrant payable to Mr. Mortenson, State Treasurer, but do not fail to have this go through my hands, so that I may make a record of it.
Yours very truly,
Geo. B. Simpkins

1903, Jan. 29

Jan. 29, 1903.
Mr. F. H. Jones,

Dunbar, Nebr.
My dear Jones:-

I have your favor of the 27th inst. along with $1.00 for payment of your dues to the Ornithologists Union for 1903. I have turned the same over to Mr. Eiche, the treasurer, and send you herewith his receipt.

By the way could you not write up a little statement of what you found in the way of birds while working in the southwestern part of the state last summer, to be used in our next Proceedings, this to go in miscellaneous notes? I should very much like to hav something of the kind.

I would also like to know whether you could spare a month or two during the coming summer for similar work to that done by you during the last summer, if I should have the funds to carry on field work in connection with this department? Do you think that you father would be willing to champion an item for an appropriation to aid me, as State Entomologist, in carrying out the necessary field work belonging to the department?

Very truly yours,

Enclosure.

1903, Jan. 29

Jan. 29, 1903
Mr. Lecander S. Keyser,

723 South 5th St.,

Atchison, Kansas
My dear Sir;-

In reply to your favor of Jan. 22 will say that at present I know of no way in which you could become associated with any expedition for working in Central America. Just a few days ago two of my students left here for that region where they expect to be engaged in Natural History collecting for a period of two or more years. You might obtain some information from them by addressing either M. A. Carriker, Jr., or J.D. Crawford, Jr., Puntarenas, Costa Rica Central America.

I note what you say with reference to the preparation of a popular book on the birds of that region and think it might be a very good thing should it be written and published. I have not seen your book on “The Birds of the Rocky Mountain Region”, but imagine that it a very interesting work. Our funds here at the University of Nebraska are rather limited and we cannot, therefore, buy every work on birds that appears.

Very truly yours,