My dear Sir

I have been unwell for a week, otherwise I sh^d. not have left so many days elapse without thanking you very sincerely for your most kind offer of buying for me old Cocks at Stephens.—¹ I have only one skeleton as yet, of a good Spanish Cock, so that I sh^d be glad of anything or everything, which you consider a distinct breed. I sh^d. be willing to go to 5^s per bird.— My old friend the Rev. R. Pulleine (whose name, I daresay you have heard as a good Poultry judge) sent me a message the other day that he was sure that M^r Baily would at his request send me anything;² but I believe your scheme is more sure & I will not as yet try Baily. I am in no hurry. If I succeed in my attempts to get the skins of Poultry from all quarters of the world,³ I shall want skins of the breeds of England for comparison; so if you stumble on a bird in good plumage, I wish you would have its neck broken, instead of cut, & then I shall understand that you think it worth skinning, instead of skeletonising. Should I ultimately succeed in making good collection of skins & skeletons of our domestic birds, I shall give whole to British Museum.⁴

I have sent a few addresses, as possibly saving you a very little trouble.—

I do not think I shall come up to London for a few weeks, but when I do I shall ask permission to visit either M^r. Wickings or Bults collection, & I will inform you, so as to know what hour will suit you, if you are inclined to come & can put off your visit till I do come, as it was evident I had better come as your companion, if you think it worth while to inspect these collections.—⁵ But I will write again nearer the time.

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

M^r Bult, I sh^d. think knew most, & it must be near to you, though far for me.—