My dear Sir

When shall I return the Spanish Cock for which I am so much indebted to your kindness?² He seems to me grown into a magnificent bird. The reason I more especially ask is that my cook tells me he is beginning to fight with his elder sons,—sons of the game-hen & therefore I presume rather extra bellicose. Whenever quite convenient I could send him carriage-paid to anywhere in London & I could repay you for any extra expence.—

I have an astonishing lot of mongrels, mostly black, some white & but a very few mottled. One of the young cocks, however, has lately acquired a few reddish brown freckles; & all these mongrels seem very liable to change their plumage greatly as they grow older.— I rather expect that the offspring of my mongrels next year will make some approach to the plumage of Gallus bankiva.—³

I hope you are well, & that your Bees & all Hobbies prosper.— I have had a very bad summer for my health & this has greatly delayed my volume, which will not now be finished till quite the autumn. Whenever completed, a copy shall be sent you; not that I suppose it will interest you much.—

My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin