My dear Sir

I ought to have written sooner to have thanked you for the very fine Pigeons received per post, a few days ago;² but as there was a scrap, inside saying that you intended writing, so I delayed, but I will delay no longer thanking you cordially for all the very kind trouble which you have taken to oblige me.— The specimen was very fine & very valuable to me, for there were several little points, which I had omitted to observe in the former specimen.

I shall certainly not want to trouble for any other specimen of Pigeon.— I see you most kindly note that the Rabbit is not forgotten. I sh^d. be very glad to know whether there is any tradition of the introduction of the Rabbit. If you ever have any information on the domestication of wild Rock Pigeons in the Shetland Isl^d. I sh^d be very glad to hear.³ Likewise whether birds chequered with black marks all over wing coverts & back are ever met with in wild state.— Graba states that this is the case in Färoe.—⁴ And Col. King near Hythe near Hythe has stock of Dovecots which he informs me, are all descended from wild young procured in the Hebrides, & these are all chequered; but he cannot remember whether they were so at first now more than 20 years ago.⁵

With my very sincere thanks for all your kindness, I remain, my dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin