Dear Sir

I really hardly know how to thank you sufficiently for your very great kindness in taking so much trouble in answering all my questions so very fully.¹ Almost every word of your letter is of real value to me. I thank you, also, for the copy of your paper, which I am glad to have separate, though I have it in the Annals & have read it in your work on Madeira.—² The information which you have given me, is very much fuller than I had dared to hope for.— The subject interests me under several points of view, namely in regard to the direct colonisation of islands by Birds,³ & indirectly with regard to the possibility of seeds being brought over adhering to the feet or base of beak, or in the crops of birds;⁴ & indeed under several other points of view not worth mentioning.

Pray again permit me to thank you for your kindness, & for your very obliging expressions towards myself, which gratify me much. And I beg to remain | Yours very truly obliged | Charles Darwin