Dear Eyton

Very many thanks for so promptly & kindly answering my queries.—² No doubt the skeleton was the Duckwing Game, & the wild Gallus G. Bankiva,—at least every bone agrees.—

As I have two good skeletons of Dorking it will not be worth while to trouble you to send yours (if found), or that of G. varius. On no account would I have the mounted Skeletons sent, though I cordially thank you for the offer.

I have now examined 25 skeletons & about 55 skulls.—³ In the skulls I find some differences characteristic of the breeds; in the other Bones much fluctuating variability.

My impression, though rather vague, from what little I have seen & read is that the skeletons of species of the same restricted genus or sub-genus do not commonly differ but very slightly. I do not at all like to trouble you, but I certainly should much like to quote your opinion how far as a general rule, the skeletons (excepting the head) differ in allied species.— One fact has surprised me (& on this too I sh^d. like to have your opinion), namely that though some parts of the skeleton besides the skull present plain differences, yet that all the bones of the wing & leg in all the Breeds are identically similar in configuration, though not in relative lengths & thickness.⁴

With best thanks Dear Eyton | Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin

P.S. | As I shall not come to the Ducks for a few weeks, I will venture to keep your specimens for that time.—

Heaven forgive me; I have just thought of another question, which I much wish answered. viz, whether the skulls of any Birds which have a large top-knot, like the Curassows have any protuberance, to support the top-knot?

Can you forgive me?