To J. J. Weir   27 May [1869]1

Down, Beckenham, Kent.

May 27

My dear Sir

Many thanks for your answer about the migratory birds and I have also written to Mr. Swaysland at Brighton.2 All the pieces of information in your last letter are just the fish which I like to catch in my net. I don’t remember what I have said about Canary hybrids, but thought I had only stated that the Canary crosses easily with many other species; I will however keep your note and look to my authorities if I live to come to the subject.3 I am glad to hear about the Canary at once selecting as its mate the greenfinch, but I am surprised it did not choose the siskin.4

With many thanks believe me | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Copy

1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, 26 May 1869.
2
CD’s letter to George Swaysland has not been found, but see the letter from George Swaysland, 12 June 1869.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-6759,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-6759