To J. J. Weir   17 October 1868

My dear Sir

All the various pieces of information which you have so very kindly sent me will be of use.¹ By an odd chance I was wishing only yesterday to know with some precision the nature of the changes in the plumage of male pheasants.² Your case of the female of Porphyrio is still more interesting, as I have been carefully collecting all instances of the females being in any way more ornamented; and when next in London I must find out from M^r. Bartlett whether anything is know of the incubation of this species.³

I assure you I thoroughly enjoyed your visit here, and reaped much profit from the conversation of you three gentlemen.⁴

I am still at work on sexual selection in regard to birds, for it has turned out a frightfully large subject.⁵

With many thanks believe me | yours very sincerely | Charles Darwin.