John Skinner
University of Wisconsin - Madison - USA

3-7-1985

Dear Professor Skinner,

Thought it was time I dropped you a line to let you know of my research progress. I hope you received the books I sent you some time back: Origin, Evolution, History & Distribution of the Domestic Fowl, Chicken Bones Recoveries. I would appreciate any comment you may have on it, and perhaps there may be something you can add to the information contained in it. Since publishing it last year and sending a few copies out I have received some quite important feedback from it, which I will include as a supplement in the next book of the series entitled Gallus species, the manuscript of which I have almost completed.

Of recent times there has been chicken bone recoveries in Northern China, dated around 5000 BC which throws new light on the Origins etc. of the Domestic Fowl. I have some of the relevant information concerning these finds and have established contact with mainland China. My contact is with Dr Han Defen of the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Anthropology in Beijing who has promised to send me further information and a copy of the photographs of earthenware chicken models dated 3000 BC from this same area. This should prove very interesting. These discoveries do sort of throw some of the earlier writings on the origins, movements etc. of early domestic fowl into a little confusion. It would be most helpful if it could be definitely established what species of chicken these new recoveries belonged to it.

I noted in Poultry Press that Fred Jeffrey of the ABA is looking towards retiring from his ABA position as Secretary. I feel he has done a very good job while he has been there. Do you know anything of Frank Gary? I have been corresponding with him for some years, but although I have written to him some letter time ago, haven’t received anything from him for some time. I realise he is getting on in years & his eyesight has failed.

Hoping you are keeping well yourself and would enjoy hearing from you in the not too distant future.

Sincerely yours,