Great Nebraska

• Lawrence Bruner, Letter, 1906, Feb. 19
• E.F. Lefebure, Letter, 1906, Feb. 21
• R.W. Limbert, Letter, 1906, Feb. 22
• Lawrence Bruner, Letter, 1906, Feb. 23
• B.H. Bailey, Letter, 1906, Feb. 24

1906, Feb. 19

Lincoln, Nebr., Febr. 19, 1906.

Miss Margaret F. Thompson,
Doane College,
Crete, Nebr.

Dear Madam:- Yours of the 16th instant at hand. Am glad to hear of the organization of the Doane Bird Club, and certainly hope that you will have a very enthusiastic membership, that you will get much original information on Nebraska birds from your combined efforts, and that the notes gathered from time to time will add greatly to our knowledge of our birds.
With reference to my coming down to give you a bird lecture before long, I would refer you to Miss Guiwits who will write you concerning this matter. I do this for the reason that we have here what is known as the University Lecture Bureau and all the correspondance concerning lectures given by members of the University faculty is carried on through this bureau. I am handing your letter to her and you will receive a reply either today or tomorrow. With kindest regards, and best wishes for the success of the bird club, I remain,
Yours very truly,

P. S. With reference to a book for determining our Nebraska birds would say that I know of no single work at a reasonable price that will answer as well as our little 75-cent book on Nebraska Birds. The next best would be Apgar’s Birds of the Eastern United States, the cost of which I believe is $1.00 or $2.00
Your lantern would undoubtedly be of the right size for the slides I use, so if I should decide on a lantern talk, your lantern would be as good as any, besides saving expenses-L.B.

1906, Feb. 21

AUDUBON
PUBLICATIONS CO.
Lucas Lefebure, Manager
227 Masonic Temple
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mumford’s Photographed-from-Nature Bird-Study Pictures
Mountjoy’s American Bird and Nature Study Chart
All the best Bird and Nature Study and Protection Publications for schools and for public and private libraries
We want your ideas, suggestions, inquiries and co-operation in this important and fascinating line of work

FEB 23 Ans’d
February 21, 1906.

Prof. Lawrence Bruner,
Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dear Sir:–
Mr. Jno. C. Mountjoy, Publisher of the American Bird & Nature Chart, states in a book that he has printed that the Black crowned Night Heron is the cause of the Ignis Fatuuis. That this bird causes these lights at will to aid in finding its food at night, and that upon being approached it ceases to give any light and soon flies away. Mr. Mountjoy also states that you are the one that made this discovery a few years since by careful watching of the birds from behind a blind.
Prof. Nutting of Iowa City, and another man state that they do not know any thing about this. Mr. Berry of this city, says that the Herrons and Bitterns have a bunch of matted feathers or down on the breast which gives off a phosphorescent light even after the bird is dead.
I would be very much obliged to you if you can give me some light on the subject to settle this dispute among several bird men.
Thanking you in advance, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
E. L. Lefebure

1906, Feb. 22

Omaha Nebr 2/22/06

Prof. Lawrence Bruner.
Uni of Nebr.
Dear Sir:- Having heard that the Uni. of Nebr. were desiring a taxidermist to mount some of the specimens in the state collection, I beg leave to offer myself for the position feeling confident that I am qualified to fill it to your satisfaction.
I am anxious to secure a position where I can learn all the finer details of ornithology. I have had two years experience and can mount in first class shape birds, game

1906, Feb. 23

Lincoln, Nebr., Febr., 23, 1906.

Mr. E. L. Lefebure,
227 Masonic Temple,
Cedar Rapids, Ia.

My Dear Sir:-
Yours of Febr. 21st at hand. I am much interested in your account of what Mr. J. C. Mountjoy has stated in a book which he has printed concerning the Black Crowned Night Heron and Ignis fatuis. Mr. Mountjoy certainly misquotes me in this matter. I may have mentioned the fact in his hearing that it has been reported by hunters and other persons that herons are responsible for such lights but I never gave the specific information that the Black Crowned Night heron is the responsible party. I myself have never seen this phenomenon and would refer you to a certain book entitled Living Lights written by one Holder, I forget the initials, but a publication coming from Scribners. Trusting that this brief statement from me will be satisfactory, I remain.
Yours very truly,

1906, Feb. 24

Dr. B. H. Bailey
Zoology

Department of
Natural Science

COE COLLEGE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

FEB 26 Ans’d
2/24/’06
Prof. L. J. Brunner,
Lincoln, Neb.
Dear Sir:-
I desire to obtain a copy of your book “A Preliminary Review of the Birds of Nebraska”, and will greatly appreciate your kindness if you will inform me where that work can be had. I am, and for some time have been, greatly interested in the birds of this and other states near by, and am desirous of learning more about the birds of Neb.
Thanking you in advance for your kindness, I am
Sincerely Yours
B.H. Bailey.