Summary

Asks whether WBT will read over his MS sketch on poultry when done.

Wants rabbit specimens.

Summary

Thanks for agreeing to read MS.

Outlines poultry breeding experiment he would like to see tried.

Summary

Asks for some unspecified items to be sent to him. The Half-lop [rabbit] should be killed, but without damaging the skull. Has not opened the box with skulls yet.

Summary

Details of peculiarities in poultry.

Is examining wild varieties of rabbit.

Summary

Inquires about rabbits.

Sends list of queries on poultry.

WBT’s fowls’ skulls have arrived.

Summary

Sends some replies to CD’s queries and data on pigeon flights between Bordeaux and Verviers.

Summary

Has completed MS on poultry [for Variation].

Thanks for information on their courtship.

Summary

[Queries in CD’s hand answered on same pages by WBT.] Sexual selection of fowls; role of beauty in cocks.

Summary

Asks for return of his MS [unspecified].

Summary

Orchids taking up all his time.

He longs to be at work again on poultry and rabbits.

Summary

Testimonial in support of WBT’s application for curatorship of the Hartley Institution.

Summary

WBT’s "too kind and flattering" article on Orchids.

Summary

Can WBT help get an answer to a query on ducks?

Has heard of a case of special sterility in cattle, in which a particular pair are sterile, but the individuals are both fertile with others.

Summary

CD interested in hybrid sterility and encloses his preliminary MS. Outlines experiments to test for existence of sterility in breeds of poultry and pigeons.

Experiments on dimorphism have led him to change in part his opinion as given in Origin, and he is now asking pigeon and poultry fanciers for any examples of special selective sterility [i.e., a particular pair are sterile when crossed, but each individual is fertile with others] and hopes to investigate its inheritance.

Summary

Has WBT ever heard of a case of the regeneration of monstrous (extra) toe on fowls?

Inquires about a curious pigeon reported at the Philoperisteron [pigeon fanciers’ club].

Summary

Does not believe in regeneration of monstrous toe.

Pigeon and poultry experiments.

Peculiar pigeon at Philoperisteron [pigeon fanciers’ club].

Summary

Hoped to meet CD at the Linnean Society to discuss pigeon and poultry breeding experiments.

Summary

Discusses experiments that WBT will undertake to investigate whether particular pigeon and poultry crosses produce sterile hybrids.

Summary

Progress of pigeon and poultry breeding experiments. No loss of fertility observed yet.

Blue-eyed cats and deafness.

Summary

WBT progressing with breeding experiments for CD.

CD making quicker progress with Variation.