My dear Sir

I am much obliged for all you have done for me, and it would be a pleasure if I could do anything for you in return.²

I am sincerely sorry to hear that your health has failed; with your numerous occupations this must be a severe trial.

I like the woodcuts much; but in the four enclosed, I should be glad of an alteration. Firstly in the fantail the tips of the tailfeathers seem to curl over: surely this is wrong? & if possible, which I fear is not the case, I should like it corrected.³ I wish the lower part of the neck in the three cocks’ heads to be cut away, but not abruptly, so that the lower edge should appear nearly as at present.⁴ I am sure the cuts will look better this way. I also want the cloud at the back of the comb of the Polish & Hamburgh to be greatly reduced or wholly removed. The block to be cut close on the top & bottom so that type may go above & below.⁵ Also do you not think that the top of the comb in the Hamburgh looks unnatural with so many & sharp little cones.⁶ When these corrections are made, I should like to see proofs; & the blocks can then be sent to M^r Murray with the account; & I will write to him.⁷ Please tell me the name of the artist, for I have forgotten, as I wish to state in text by whom they are done, under your superintendance.⁸

I had noticed with interest M^r. Hewitt’s account of the bantam hen, & therefore you could not have pleased me more than by letting me see the feathers.⁹ I observe they are saffron coloured, which is not stated, I think, in the original account. I should like to see, but not to keep, the photograph when made. I should like to see the barred feathers of Gallus various; for I have quoted you about pencilling in crosses, & I presume this is something of the same kind.¹⁰

I will correct all the references, though they are very numerous, to the New edit. of the Poultry book.¹¹ I will remember your kind offer about correcting proofs, but hope to have no occasion to avail myself of it. I expect to go to press towards the close of the year.¹²

My dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin