Summary

Did not know of complex change of plumage. From WBT’s letter, CD thinks six weeks to two months old is the best period. Sends details of breeds and other particulars.

Summary

Refers to letter from John Wright offering to help CD on his queries about deerhounds and sexual preferences.

More details about a terrier bitch previously referred to [letter missing].

Summary

Thanks WH for sending a table about sheep. Wishes to know if the sheep belonged to one or several breeds. Mr Harward, a breeder of shorthorns, has tried M. Thury’s plan, and it failed.

Summary

Will be glad to see Miss Wedgwood’s MS on Wesley.

The clichés of Fritz Müller’s work [Für Darwin] have arrived.

Summary

Questions CD’s view in Variation that Torfschwein formerly ranged from Europe to China.

Cites numerous German publications relating to CD’s theory.

Summary

He has been occupied with Royal Geographical Society anniversary meeting, but did go to Janson and selected various specimens for CD, some of which have remarkable stridulating organs.

The habits of Lethrus are found in Kirby and Spence’s Introduction [to entomology, 7th ed. (1856)].

Summary

Glad to have JJW’s opinion on nest-building. Wallace’s view [that skill is learned] is opposed to many facts.

Asks JJW about birds and their behaviour.

Wants information on the first plumage of different breeds of canaries.

Summary

Is reading CD’s instances of inherited peculiarities of eye [Variation 2: 8–10]. Gives cases of colour-blindness of males in his family.

Summary

Thanks for references.

CD in error about Torfschwein.

Comments on German publications.

Asks about breed of fowl in which females have spurs.

Summary

Sends replies on dogs – sexual differences and preferences.

Summary

CD cannot remember whether correspondent believed the wing that Gallus bankiva opens and scrapes before the female, is ornamented. He fears it is not.

Summary

Thanks WWR for information in answer to his queries concerning expression.

Asks when horns first appear among a breed of sheep on the Guinea coast,

and for information about the gorilla and chimpanzee.

Asks about African ideas of beauty.

Summary

Sends some questions on secondary sexual differences of fishes [missing], which he hopes AG will look over.

Invites AG to come to Down.

Encloses queries on sexual differences and nest-building habits of fish.

Summary

Thanks for answer to questions.

Has analogous questions on reptiles that he will send to AG. The subject interests him, but CD must try not to fall into his common error of "being too speculative".