My dear Sir

I quite forgot to say one thing in my last note.² Of the eggs of the rumpless Fowls only 3 hatched—2 jet black & one a little banded. Now would you believe it, owing to my fault in not having given clear enough instructions these three were hatched two or three days before I heard of it!— So that after all your kindness I have not got a chicken about 24 hours before Birth.—³ Shall you hatch any more? What would you say to exchange two of my chickens when nearly full grown, for an egg with young chick in it, about 24 hours before birth.— You could have two nearly full-grown instead of one not born.—

In case you had eggs hatching soon, I may state that I shall be here till the 30^th morning, & after that at Down.— Forgive, if you can, my stupidity: I beg you not to take the trouble to answer this merely to acknowledge it.—

Your’s very sincerely | C. Darwin