Summary

Has received [C. L.?] Brehm’s work [unspecified]. Will return it in two or three weeks.

Summary

Will not accept invitation to Hastings, or offer to send pigeons to Down.

Is looking forward to seeing pigeons at Crystal Palace poultry show.

Summary

Corrects CD’s statement [Origin, 3d ed.] that Madeira does not possess one peculiar bird. There is one, out of the 99.

Summary

Has seen EWVH’s list of the birds of Madeira, and would like to know more about the ‘occasional visitants’.

Summary

Asks to borrow C. L. Brehm’s book [Handbuch der Naturgeschichte aller Vögel Deutschlands (1831)]. Wants to see how far Brehm went in splitting species.

Took finches from Madeira to British Museum.

Summary

Went to the show and saw EWVH’s birds.

Thinks he will give up his pigeons at the end of the summer.

Summary

Thanks EWVH for his offer but he is not likely to go to London soon to visit John Leadbeater, the bird dealer; he could take a rock pigeon for comparison, but other skins he would have compare at the British Museum.

Would be obliged if EWVH could investigate domestic species in Egypt, especially a type of dog depicted in ancient monuments; and he is particularly interested in tumbler pigeons.

Summary

CL’s comments on Origin. Mentions corrections to last chapter suggested by CL.

Comments on lack of peculiar bird species on Madeira and Bermuda. Emphasises importance of American types in Galapagos.

Denies necessity of continued creation of primitive "Monads".

Denies need for new powers and any principle of improvement.

Discusses gradations of intellectual powers.

Adaptive inferiority and extinction of groups of species and genera.

Asserts that climate is less important than the struggle with other organisms.

Suggests an experiment involving primroses and cowslips.

The chapter on hybridisation.

Rudimentary organs.

Gives opinion of Lamarck’s work.

Summary

Admits that occasional transport is not a well-established hypothesis but believes it more probable than continental extension as an explanation for the stocking of islands.

Summary

Would like to compare the length of the wings of non-migratory and migratory swallows.

Wonders if EWVH could show him skins of Columba livia.

Summary

[Copy of some rough notes.] References about species. Variations within species.

Summary

Thanks for the very detailed information sent by EWVH.

Summary

On his breeding of Jacobin pigeons. How reciprocal crosses to produce mules work among canaries, goldfinches, linnets, and green linnets.

Will soon forward copies of Cottage Gardener for June.

Summary

Thanks for offer of pigeons, if breeding is successful; hopes to go to poultry show to see them.

Several questions about the Boz or Booz pigeon of Tunis.

If any of EWVH’s birds die and he does not want the skin, perhaps he would send it to CD.

Summary

Answers HGB’s criticism of Origin.

Explains HGB’s case of differences in rats by adaptation.

CD’s view explains homological and embryological resemblances of each type.

Does not believe all development is at same rate. Cites Australian forms.

Does not see force of objection that origin of life must be explained.

Asks if C. L. Brehm’s subspecies of birds are really characteristic of regions of Germany.