Summary

Is glad his notes on ducks are useful; would like them back when CD has finished with them as they might help him to put the South American Anatidae in order.

Summary

Sends CD some more ducks’ skins so that he can examine the lamellae.

Summary

CD would like to see the Prion [see 8016]. May he immerse the head in warm water so as to open the beak? Directions for sending the parcel.

Summary

Encloses notes [missing] that he has made for CD on looking through his dried skins of American Anatidae.

Summary

Shot a sandpiper in Norway, the hind toe of which was clasped by a freshwater bivalve.

Sends replies to CD’s queries about sex ratios in humming-birds.

Summary

Promises to answer questions about ducks next week when he has a specimen.

Recently met Capt. Arthur Mellersh.

Summary

Very glad to see Prion. [See 8029.]

CD offers OS upper and lower beaks of various ducks and geese if they are of interest to him.

Summary

He appreciates the two specimens [skins of Mergenetta and Aix sponsa], especially the Mergenetta, which as far as sifting is concerned, is a capital link between the shoveller and the common duck. Arrangements for their return.

Summary

Has just returned from collecting in Central America and is planning to go to the Galapagos to gather specimens in all branches of natural history.

Summary

CD appreciates the great trouble OS has taken in providing a bundle of observations. [See 8001.] They are useful and will save CD from at least one blunder.

The structure of the beak of the shoveller "filled me with admiration".

Summary

Publication Committee of Zoological Society has granted CD use of woodblock from the Society’s Proceedings.

Summary

Comments on lamellae in Prion. Offers to send specimen for CD to examine.

Summary

Sends specimen of Prion.

Discusses beaks of flamingo and other birds.

Comments on function of lamellae.

Summary

CD thanks OS for answering his questions and especially for giving the case of the sandpiper; "such little facts are my delight". [See 6253.]

Summary

Obliged for his memoir ["On the avifauna of the Galapagos", Trans. Zool. Soc. (April 1875)]. His surprise that the birds from the different islands prove so similar. Comparison of the habits, nests, eggs of the commonest species of each island would throw a flood of light upon variation.

Summary

Encloses some queries.

Would also like information about proportion of male to female humming-birds.

Reference to OS’s paper in Ibis, vol. 2.

Summary

CD is interested in the gradation of character in the lamellae of the beaks of ducks. He finds that they are less developed or prominent in the common duck and goose than in true ducks. Is OS able to provide him with any information on this subject?

Summary

Notes on sexual differences within certain species of birds.

Summary

At the suggestion of J. D. Hooker CD offers his opinion on the value of a proposed collection to be made at the Galápagos. The display would not be attractive or appealing to amateurs in natural history, but the scientific value of good collections of every species would be very great if those of each island are rigorously kept separate.