Encloses a memorandum [missing] drawn up by W. H. Flower, Huxley, and himself, defending Charles Wyville Thomson against an attack made upon him.

Asks PLS to sign the memorial for a pension for Wallace.

Encloses paper [by W. Van Dyck] for publication by the Zoological Society ["On Syrian street dogs", Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. (1882): 367–70].

CD has signed the enclosed with great pleasure.

Lists land birds of Galapagos and discusses their distribution on mainland of S. America.

Thanks PLS for list of Galapagos birds.

Mentions note he will add to Journal [of researches (1860)]

and correction he will make in Origin [3d ed. (1861)].

Asks PLS about variability in "abnormal parts of birds".

Informs CD that Sylvicola aureola may be a distinct species but is a close ally of S. aestiva of N. and S. America and perhaps only a "climatic variety".

Thanks PLS for information about variation in birds. Asks for more information.

Asks for a rabbit specimen;

inquires about a hybrid hare–rabbit.

Promises to send copy of Origin [3d ed.].

Is pleased that PLS has "become ""heretical"" on species".

Asks about distribution of Gallus and about description of Gallus temminckii, G. R. Gray.

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

Asks about species of Opetiorhynchus.

CD is unable to locate his specimens of two Falkland Island birds [Opetiorhynchus].

Discusses feral rabbits of Porto Santo. Arranges for care of rabbits while the Darwins visit Torquay.

Asks for information about japanned peacocks from Hudson [John Henry?] Gurney’s flock.

Asks for information about peacocks, especially Pavo nigripennis. Suggests a crossing experiment.

Discussion of ducks. CD asks for information on a domestic Chinese race about which Robert Swinhoe wrote to CD. Compares Chinese duck with Anas poecilorhyncha and Boschas.

Notes improvement in health.

Encloses a portion of a letter from B. D. Walsh [5319] concerning an American interested in exchanging birds’ skins.

Asks for index to Zoological Society’s Proceedings.

Mentions article on "Barbets" by PLS in Intellectual Observer [12 (1867–8): 241–6].