My dear Sir

You have no idea how useful your various suggestions have been to me. When put on the scent, I have followed up several of your men, got some sort of introduction & written to them.—

But I want to beg one other great favour of you, viz. when you see M^r Consul Brand² to sound him, & see whether there is any one in Angola who could skin a few specimens for me, & if so, whether he would take the trouble, on his return, to give instructions; & I would in that case write to him, & explain what I want; for I presume there is Poultry every where, if not other domesticated birds.—

I really feel it too impudent to write without knowing him in some degree. Can you aid me in this one respect? Of if you were to write him the briefest note & say that I am a respectable person & would repay any small expence to a bird-skinner &c.—

I have now written to each chief quarter of the world, except Arabia. Can you aid me here; being so anciently civilised it w^d. be very fine region for me. Is there any semi-scientific man in Aden? I have written to Rev^d. J. Erdhardt,³ & used your name, & Col. Sykes⁴ says he will help me by any request or order to Bombay so as to reach the East coast of Africa.—

With very sincere thanks | Your’s truly | C. Darwin