16
February 1996
Dear
Mr Plant,
Thank
you for your letter of 7 January 1996. The radio interview you heard was Dr
Les Christidis, the Curator of Birds, discussing the find of some finches,
collected by Charles Darwin, on his voyage of the Beagle. We also have a lot
of specimens collected by Alfred Russell Wallace, including some 'type'
specimens. However, these specimens are mainly of Birds-of-Paradise,
Kingfishers and Pigeons. Unfortunately, there are no Jungle-fowl in the
collection. We have not come across anything recently regarding the origins of
the domestic fowl, but will send you some information, should we come across
it. Thank you for your interest.
Yours
sincerely,
Rory O'Brien