Regarding Cytisus graft with yellow flowers, CD thinks nurseryman has sold Cytisus adami to JJW’s brother in place of C. purpureus. This explains apparent "sport". [P.S. on envelope:] C. purpureus seeds freely. C. adami never does.

Aggressive behaviour of a bullfinch toward new arrival in JJW’s aviary.

Sexual differences in goldfinches: size of beaks.

Sexual selection in Lepidoptera.

Thinks Dr Alex Wallace’s observations on Bombyx not conclusive in proving that no preference is shown by females.

Sexual behaviour of chaffinches.

Numbers of female linnets in September.

His experiments on brightly coloured larvae [as food], testing A. R. Wallace’s theory.

His observations of a rookery make him wonder whether it may not be more difficult than we think for birds to pair.

Proportion of sexes in chaffinches.

Pugnacity of blackbirds and robins.

Harrison Weir reports up to nine eggs in starling nests.

Newspaper report of a sheep born with its owner’s brand.

Describes a curious litter of rabbits.

Pairing of rooks, courtship of golden pheasant.

Behaviour of finch hybrids.

Seasonal coloration of birds; bright plumage results from sexual selection.

Proportion of sexes in ruffs [see Descent 1: 306].

Colour display in linnets, songbirds. Courtship display of Australian pigeon at zoo.

Answers CD’s question on whether any female birds regularly sing.

Both sexes of Crossoptilon auritum (eared pheasant) obtained the red cheeks the first year.

Coloration of the linnet.

Migratory male nightingales and blackcaps arrive before females [see Descent 1: 259].

Discusses chaffinch "Peggers".

Disagrees with CD’s opinion that canary mules are fertile.

Display of colour of greenfinches in courtship.

Discusses case of Cytisus graft described by JJW.

JJW is to think no more about mistake [regarding Cytisus graft].

Declines invitation to accompany JJW to Crystal Palace.

Comments on JJW’s observations on mule

and hermaphroditism in hybrid moths.

Comments on paper by JJW ["On insects and insectivorous birds", Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6]. JJW’s verification of A. R. Wallace’s suggestion regarding inheritance is quite a discovery.

Asks for information about male birds migrating before females.

Thanks for information about bird migration.

Comments on canary hybridisation.

"My health got so bad I could do nothing at Down".

Gives information about migration of male and female birds.

On birds erecting feathers.

Comments on production of buds in Cytisus.

Discusses case of rabbit-breeding which affected subsequent progeny of female.

"Like you I have often wondered at the different food of the old and young, as with graminivorous birds feeding their young with insects."

Recommends forthcoming book by John Lubbock [Monograph of the Collembola and Thysanura (1873)].

Not surprised incipient disease in female would make her unattractive to male.

Sorry JJW’s official duties are so heavy.