From Walter Elliot   7 August 1869

My dear Sir

In reply to your inquiry about the Indian Wild Boar, I believe the male in the breeding-season consorts with several sows.¹ Except in the breeding season, the old Boars are solitary, but in beating them out of cover, I have frequently found an old Boar with the Sounder.² When not so associated the old Boar goes out to feed alone for I have often, where the cover was too extensive to beat, gone out early in the morning before dawn, & watched for these solitary males returning from feeding, as they always show the best sport. They are the most savage & powerful & when they join the sounder, they drive the young boars away, wh. are then found two or three together, harboring apart but returning to the Sounder after the breeding period when the old one reverts to his solitary habits. I cannot say positively that this is the universal & constant habit of the animal, but it is a very general one, as far as my observation goes.

I dont think I ever thanked you for the copy of the “Variation of Animals & Plants under Domestication”, wh you were kind enough to send me.³ It came during a prolonged absence from home & I found it on my table when I returned. I had hoped to do so in person, when I was at High Elms about two months ago, but Mr John Lubbock, who had promised to take me over to Down, did not come home till too late to do so & I was obliged to go back to Town next morning⁴

He promised however to tell you of my regret at the disappointment.

Believe me | Yours very truly | Walter Elliot

Charles Darwin Esqr