TO THE DUCHESS OF BEDFORD— GREY CROWS 197 



Tenrecs from Madagascar that alone are worth 

 coming to see. . . .' 



To the Duchess of Bedford. 



' Lilford: December 31, 1896. 



' No bird of the genus Corvus with which 

 I was ever acquainted could justly be called 

 "well behaved" from the standpoint of equity 

 or morality, but most of them are amusing 

 villains, and there is considerable variety in 

 the style of their delinquency. I have suffered 

 many things at the beak and claws of a 

 tame Rook, but for deep depravity without a 

 redeeming point give me the Grey or Hooded 

 Crow. But I have trespassed too long upon 

 your grace, in every sense of the word.' 



To the same. 



' Lilford : January 6, 1896. 



' How will it be if you carry out your 

 gracious intention of sending me two photo- 

 graphs of yourself, and I find them both really 

 like you and keep the two ? Possession is nine 

 points of the law, so - you see what you may 



