Darwin, C. R. to Weir, J. J.
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Enjoyed JJW's visit.
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Interested in changes in plumage of pheasants.
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Still at work on sexual selection in birds.
Summary Add
Transcription
Down, Bromley, Kent. S.E.
Oct. 17. 1868.
My dear Sir
All the various pieces of information which you have so
very kindly sent me will be of use. By an odd chance I was
wishing only yesterday to know with some precision the
nature of the changes in the plumage of male pheasants. Your
case of the female of Porphyrio is still more interesting,
as I have been carefully collecting all instances of the
females being in any way more ornamented; and when next in
London I must find out from M
I assure you I thoroughly enjoyed your visit here, and reaped much profit from the conversation of you three gentlemen.
I am still at work on sexual selection in regard to birds, for it has turned out a frightfully large subject.
With many thanks believe me | yours very sincerely | Charles Darwin.
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- f1 6422.f1
Weir's most recent letter to CD is that of [before 17] October 1868. - +
- f2 6422.f2
See letter from J. J. Weir, [before 17] October 1868. - +
- f3 6422.f3
Weir may have discussed Porphyrio (the swamp hen) in the missing portion of his letter of [before 17] October 1868. CD refers to Abraham Dee Bartlett. - +
- f4 6422.f4
See letter from J. J. Weir, [before 17] October 1868 and n. 2. Weir had visited with Alfred Russel Wallace and Edward Blyth. - +
- f5 6422.f5
CD's work on sexual selection in birds was published in four chapters of Descent.