My dear Sir.

All the blocks are engraved except that of the Rock dove which is now in the artist’s hands—¹ I had a good deal of difficulty in procuring a specimen that I could rely on as not being crossed with dovecot pigeons, but have now two in the flesh, from the Coast of Lewis (Western Islands) and from Stromness (Orkneys)—² To show the wing bars etc. as you wished I have had one hung up by the leg, and drawn after a photograph. In this position the bars on the wings & wing coverts, the white rump feathers—tail bars etc are really admirably shewn and if you do not object to a drawing looking like an artistic sketch of “dead game”, I think it will suit, as the plumage is much better shewn than in a natural position, at least as regards the characteristic markings³

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Will you be so good as ⁠⟨⁠to⁠⟩⁠ read the article by M^r Teeba⁠⟨⁠y⁠⟩⁠ ⁠⟨⁠in⁠⟩⁠ the July Number of the Po⁠⟨⁠ultry Book⁠⟩⁠ chapter on spangled Hamburghs   it will interest you ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ how nearly two varieties ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ fowls), can approach in Me⁠⟨⁠  ⁠⟩⁠ ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ yet be incapable of amalgamation⁴

Teebays statements are perfectly reliable— he is a most practised breeder and fair describer

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