My dear Sir

Many thanks for your note & specimens.—² I sh^d. think the subject would be well worthy of a paper, for I do not remember any detailed discussion on the subject.

I hope & suppose that you have kept my queries: though I am very glad to hear about the number of moults, it is colour which chiefly concerns me.³

If you could provisionally soon let me hear briefly of the differences or resemblance of plumage of adult male & female & young, in 2 or 3 breeds it would be a great assistance to me, as I could then judge how far to pursue the subject in other animals. The Pile Game w^d be one good case;⁴ you will understand that I sh^d want a few words on the adults, as the several breeds are not familiar now to me.—

You told me formerly that you could get me from Breeders some information on relative proportion of sexes with Ducks & Fowls, which w^d be very valuable to me.—⁵ Perhaps you will as soon as you have leisure let me have whatever materials you have about the sexes. without waiting for more.— When at Manchester or elswhere could you find out how early in life the young of Peacock are furnished with the top knot.—⁶

I am very sorry to hear that you have been suffering from ill-health: I thought that you were indomitable in strength & health.— My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin