WCP2257

[1]

Epping

Aug 25^th 1870

My dear Sir,

I hope you received my reply¹ to your first ^{letter 2} respecting the pairing of birds — I delayed answering your second³ till I had heard from two or three friends⁴ to whom I had written, but I am sorry to say they can give me no information on the subject.

A person residing near a breeding place of any of the Gulls would not have much difficulty in ascertaining how they paired if the young birds really breed before they have acquired the adult plumage.

If I obtain any information which throws a light upon the subject I will write again —

We had a splendid aurora last night and is almost as fine this evening —

With kind regards and best wishes in every way I am | My dear Sir | Yours very Sincerely | Henry Doubleday [signature]

Alfred R[ussel]. Wallace Esq.