WCP2979

[1]

COLESBORNE,

CHELTENHAM.

13 April 10

Dear Mr Wallace

No trouble would be too much for me, if I could really help you; but my own observations in collecting have been confirmed to the living Lepidoptera.

I have collected within the arctic circle in Norway and in the Altai mountains of C. Asia, and the Rocky mountains of Alberta & [2] Montana, where the climatic conditions at high elevations as well as the characteristic species are truly arctic, In all these places, ^{I would say that} Diurnal Lepidoptera are ^{as a general rule} less numerous than in the alps of Central Europe & in the high Himalayas & moths still less so.

I am therefore inclined to agree with you that berries & living insects form in such localities [3] a much more important item in the food of of land birds than Lepidoptera larvae, and in the places where butterflies were most numerous birds are not as a rule abundant.

If there is any other point in which I can help you please ask me. I must congratulate you on your remarkable handwriting which neither time nor work [4] seems to have affected. I can now hardly read Sir Joseph Hookers¹ writing though his mind & eyesight are still good — or were so when he came here last year.

It is the same with other aged friends, & I hope it is a sign that you will enjoy some years of health, & ability to delight others by your works.

believe me | yours very truly | H J Elwes² [signature]