WCP2227

[1]

YESTER

HADDINGTON

Sep^r 19. 1869.

Dear Mr. Wallace,

I wish I had known sooner the part you mention in the Ms[?] I have to thank you for. For the future I shall act[?] on[?] the rule[?].

What a wonderful find Scissirostrum pagei, Lafr. — = Lanius dubius, Latham on Celebes is — I have [2] just had the specimen sent. Did you observe its habits. It has the legs of an Acridotheres the general colour of Acrid[otheres]. griseus, the lower mandible of a Gracula, the upper of a Megalaina[?], the tail of a Calornis and the upper tail cavity of some extinct form. I [3] presume that it is a starling in its habits.

I have been suddenly called to the [1 word illeg.] where I am enjoying the usual boisterous climate of Scotland.

Yours very truly | Walden [signature]