From Osbert Salvin   14 October 1871

My dear M^r Darwin,

I am very glad to find that you will be able to pick something out of my notes on ducks.¹ Pray set me to work whenever you can for it is a real pleasure to me to go into such matters. & observations of the kind occupy more than half my time & thoughts.

When you have quite done with them I should like to have the notes back, for I have for some time been meditating setting the South American Anatidæ in order & they might come in usefully.²

Very truly yours | Osbert Salvin.