West Va April 1874 Pheonius that sings behind the barn in nearly exactly the same strain as our Pheilo at the N. [illegible] purposes? Is abundant; Have noticed nothing peculiar p. notes or habits. I think they breed in clods of the tall stubs as they are continually lighting on them. R. Dean brought in twenty birds the best 2 S. Indocians which still persistently blends one. He also shot 2 P. Hallasis, 1 an [illegible] sveral [illegible], Ratthnames as said to be plenty in the woods but an [illegible] made by the boss which brutes are roaming about at large anywhere, Short of the people he sided with the South in the late war. They are not unlike the Me backwoods in appearance averaging a trifle darker in complexion perhaps, and with less fine physiquess but they are said to be far behind them in intellect: not more than an [illegible] can read or write. They travel about riding on horseback the broken paths This babies in this area; many of their horses are really fine looking animals, and are very sure footed. There is not a carriage road in this whole region, nothing but bridle paths