My dear Sir

I did not write before as I expected to see M^r Zurhorst at Birmingham,— — From the conversation I have had with him respecting the eggs I do not think his information is sufficiently definite to be of use— It really amounts only to this, that a spanish hen running with his cochins laid dark eggs.— Whether she did so before or not he does not know²

My single experiment was that a spanish hen running with cochins laid perfectly white eggs, that were fertilized by the cochin and from which I hatched chickens

I regretted much not seeing you³   I wished to ask you your conclusions respecting the original stock of the Guinea fowl, the Duck—The so called Buenos Ayres duck⁴ and the Goose— I know practically very little of the origin of these birds and should like to be in accord with you in the Poultry Book⁵

Trusting you are quite strong | Believe me | Yours very truly | W B Tegetmeier.

C Darwin Esq

Should you like to write to M^r Zurhorst his address is

Belleville

Donny brook

C^o Dublin