What were Darwin's first duties as an amateur naturalist?

Darwin's first duties as an amateur naturalist involved collecting specimens, observing wildlife, and documenting his findings. He began his journey in natural history by studying plant and animal life in his local environment, particularly during his time at the University of Edinburgh and later in Cambridge. His early explorations laid the groundwork for his later work, including his famous voyage on the HMS Beagle, where he expanded his observations to diverse ecosystems around the world.