Dr Elio Corti
Valenza - Italy

7-3-1995

My dear Elio,

Thank you for your letter and pleased to hear you received the material OK.

As regards the Araucana situation I thought at one time I might pursue the issue but I don’t believe it will ever be solved. A fellow, I think was Bustos, went looking for birds to carry out a study with some years ago, but couldn’t find anything that appeared pure Araucana think he did collect some birds which were a motley lot which in my opinion wouldn’t be much good to conduct a study with.

The only trait that seems anyway stable is the Blue Egg Shell, some are Rumplesss some are not, the earrings are of different formations, some have straight combs, some strength combs. Not very satisfactory. The origin is unknown. I put forward a theory in one of my books on their origin. I could be right or I could be wrong. As I think I mentioned Bill Cawley summed the situation up pretty well. I think I sent you a copy.

Regarding the people going to Indonesia I will explain the situation. They are not going all together but mainly chaps and their wives on cruising yachts and where and when they will visit is unpredictable. They will probably be going at different times as they are on cruising yachts. These yachts usually finish up in Thailand and then sail into the Indian Ocean. They have promised to make some observations for me if the opportunity arises. I’m afraid it would not work out the team up with them. These people don’t have a set timetable, a lot depends on weather conditions. However I am hoping to get some interesting info from them.

I am enclosing the copy of a paper on the Jungle Fowl which may interest you. I received a letter from the Netherlands the other day inviting to contribute articles for an English language magazine relating to chickens, pigeons, animals etc. for publication. Soon I will have a new publication available on the History of the Australorp in Australia. I will send you a copy. Must press on now.

Regards.

P.S. Also enclosed:

Skeleton of normal domestic chicken

Skeleton of Shamo (Japan); I would expect to be much the same as Malay.

With your medical Knowledge could you study these and give your opinion of the differences in the make up of the skeletons which might consider them separate species or subspecies??