Outgoing correspondence from Robert Ridgway, April 28, 1871

              no. Smithsonian institution, Washington d.c. April 28th, 1871. dear Mother, The manuscript which you so kindly sent to me arrived this morning.  It was just what I wanted.  Please send one [of] those blank books you speak of—particularly those which contain measurements and notes of birds made at home. I have not made my visit to New York yet, but will probably go next week.  Mother, I am happy to announce to you that there is a prospect of my coming home this summer—about the same time that I did last year—though I won’t be certain about it.  I shall try my best to come.  Tell poor neglected, but dearly loved, Francy that I will answer her nice letter the very first opportunity that I have; and that I am really ashamed of myself for having neglected her for so long, but my excuse is that I am so terribly busy all the time.