My dear Sir

I am glad to say that the Laughers are quite well; & I have heard one make a very odd note, which I suppose was laughing.²

You may rely on it, I will rear the first pair & let you have them, of the Scanderoons: they are now sitting, but rather badly & whether they will hatch I am rather doubtful.—

With respect to vertebræ, I sh^d. not like to be quoted; but as far as one casual look went, they certainly seemed to have an extra neck vertebra; but whether they have not one less in back, I will not say positively, for though I have now many skeletons, I really have not had time to look to them well—it is so much less trouble to do such work, when one’s materials are nearly complete.—³

My present so called Scanderoons⁴ though much larger than the diseased Bird, which I had from M^r Baker,⁵ are not, I believe, nearly so well characterised.—

I shall be very glad to meet you at Anerly.⁶

With many thanks for all your assistance to me, | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

I am very glad you are going to give a Paper to Zoolog. Soc.—⁷

Your Polands (one died) are going on admirably.—

P.S. I have just looked at skeleton & I believe I have made simple blunder; but the neck has not been well cleaned & I cannot make out certainly.—