From Osbert Salvin   30 October 1871

My dear M^r Darwin,

The Prion has reached me safely and I am glad to hear it has been of use to you.¹

I have sent you today to Orpington Station a skin of Merganetta and one of Aix sponsa²   The latter appears to have the tongue still in & you will observe that soft lamellæ stand out on each side. These may serve to clean the maxillary lamellæ instead of the lower mandibular series which are very feebly developed. I should like to have the specimens you mention in your last letter if of no further service to yourself. They will doubtless help someday to a better classification of the Anatidæ.

If the beaks of the two specimens I now send are moderately soaked in warm water you will be better able to see into the mouth & no harm will come to the skins.—

Should the beak of Aix indicate any peculiar habits, there are plenty of living specimens in the Zoological Gardens which M^r Bartlett might examine.³

Very truly yours | Osbert Salvin.