WCP4038

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex

March 8th. 1875

Dear Newton¹

I have been away from home & sh[oul]^d have sent you the Mss. sooner. I am afraid to trust it to Rail so have sent it by book post registered. I send now the Birds’ (of 3rd Part.) and all the essential portions of four regions Neartic, Paleartic, Oriental & Australian,- with the Chap.[ter] on [one word illegible] regions. I have taken out all the portions relating to Insects, Reptiles & fishes exclusively, but have [2] sent you all general matters as well as parts relating to Birds & Mammals. The Neotropical I am now at work on, but shall probably be able to let you have it by the time you have finished with the others. Ethiopian [one word illegible] begun.

Please note that all the Mss. sent you will undergo copious correction & perhaps modification. Some contradictions may be met with owing to my views having somewhat changed during the process of working out details.

The [one word illegible] Regions chapter will be partly rewritten. I have to notice [3] Allens theory (in his Winter Birds of Florida) which seems to me utterly wrong.

In the arrangement ^{of tables &c.} I propose to turn the last ten families of "Passeres" about, so as to bring Menuridae² last, as you supported,— a decided improvement.

The headings to families will all be altered as I have already told you, beginning with Neotropical.

In the arrangement of the 6 chapters in the book however I shall not feel bound to [the] same arrangement. I should like the two volumes to be shortly definable as one [4] Vol. I. Arctogaea³, Vol. II. Notogaea⁴ & V. I Old World V. II New World & I Northern Regions V II. Southern Regions.

Doing the bulk of P[ar]^t III of the book, I shall want 4 regions in the first Vol. & 2 in the 2nd. which either of the above decisions will give.

I have completed my arrangement with Macmillan [one word illegible] has undertaken the plates.

May I beg you to note freely in the margin in pencil, any errors you meet with,- also to make any suggestions that occur to you for fuller & more equal treatment of any parts. I am aware there [5] are great irregularities at present. The Mss. might all to be rewritten, but I cannot do that so must revise carefully & rewrite any such parts as are very bad. If you see that I have not got the best information on any group or district you will greatly obliged me by noting the author in question in the margin. You can keep the Mss. any reasonable time. If you can return [6] me the 4 regions now sent in say a fortnight I shall then be able to send you the Neotropical & after that perhaps the Ethiopian.

Yours very sincerely | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

Prof A. Newton

The "Birds" of Pt. III. you can keep till you have the remaining "Regions" as you may want to refer to both together.