Darwin Correspondence Project

Down, Bromley, Kent. S.E.

June 5, 1868.

My dear Sir

You have answered all my questions spendidly. It was very kind, almost heroic, in you to sacrifice your hair and pay 3d in the cause of science. But I am really very much obliged, for I never could understand ``the London Fancy''. I am very sorry to hear that you cannot pay us a visit at present, but as soon as you can I beg you to let me hear from you. Our plans at present are to go at the end of July to the seaside for about 5 weeks and I shall probably be here the whole rest of the year. You will now have a long holiday from my everlasting letters, but I am thankful to say that I have got a rich harvest in the thick bundle of your answers on my table. I enclose my signature as you require and remain with sincere and cordial thanks

Yours very truly

P.S.— If you have time will you answer me one other question.— Has the Vidua a regular and complete double annual moult, like so many grallatores, or do the long tail-feathers alone appear before breeding season, & afterwards cast off?— If, as I suspect, this is the case, do you know of any analogous cases of certain plumes alone appearing at one season without any complete moult.—