Summary

Acknowledges Journal of researches and in return sends the first volume of his History of British birds [1839–43].

Summary

"The Pigeons are all quite well".

Sends thanks to Mrs Cotton.

Summary

A "Zoological memorandum" for CD with an extract from L. Hindmarsh, "On the wild cattle of Chillingham Park" [Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 2 (1838): 274–84].

Summary

Answers CD’s queries about the number and distribution of species in certain fish genera.

Summary

Extract of a letter from Sir Robert Heron to WY, copied for CD, about the crossing of solid- and divided-hoofed pigs, and Angora rabbits of different colours.

Summary

CD is too dull and languid to see Mr Bicheno but will be glad to answer his questions if he writes.

Asks WY to ask J. Sebright "whether the cross with white bantam brought back any of the ""secondary male characters"" to the hen–cock breed".

Summary

Glad WDF will visit him in Shrewsbury.

Hope visited CD; he and T. C. Eyton want CD to join them on an entomological trip to N. Wales; can WDF come?

William Yarrell has discovered a new wild swan in England; CD has had bad specimen of it stuffed for WDF.

Adds brief news of friends.

Summary

Is glad CD finds his observations on hair growth on ears new and interesting.

Mentions instances in which young birds possess abilities lacking in the adult.

Summary

MS [of CD’s pigeon chapter] arrived safely.

Pigeon and poultry engravings [for Variation].

Summary

William Yarrell has assured him that call ducks cross freely with common varieties. CD would like a seven-day duckling and an old one that dies a natural death.

CD is depressed – all his experiments are going wrong, "all nature is perverse and will not do as I wish it". Feels he is getting out of his depth.

Summary

CD concerned with rabbits and ducks because evidence of their single origin is "better … than in most cases".

Death of William Yarrell.

Summary

Wishes CD could publish Origin with footnotes.

Increases in bird populations: starlings are increasing, but AN cannot give reason; mistletoe-thrush increasing but not ousting song-thrush. Doubts trustworthiness of [George?] Edwards, CD’s authority in Origin on this matter [see Origin, 6th ed., p. 59].

AN opposed to bird protection legislation to prohibit egging. Argues egging does not decrease number of birds.

Summary

Reports the results of breeding from FBG’s hybrid geese. The hybrids are fertile inter se. Would FBG like the geese back? If CD publishes his observations may he use FBG’s results?

Summary

Questions correctness of two statements in Origin: 1. That fulmar petrels are the most numerous birds in the world;

2. That the increase of one form of thrush in Scotland has been concomitant with the decline of another form.

Summary

Vexed he cannot find head of [Chinese] dog.

First took up skeletonising to see how much young pigeons and poultry differed from the old.

Wishes to ascertain differences in skeletons of pigeons, poultry, covey birds, and rabbits. William Yarrell has shown CD breastbones. W. B. Tegetmeier has shown him skulls of fowls.