OF SELBORNE. 55 
that supposition! that such feeble, bad fliers (who 
the summer long never flit but from hedge to 
hedge) should be able to traverse vast seas and 
continents, in order to enjoy milder seasons amid 
the regions of Africa ! 
LE TLE SSL 
Selborne, Jan. 22, 1768. 
Sir,—As in one of your former letters you ex- 
pressed the more satisfaction from my correspond. 
ence on account of my living in the most south. 
erly county, so now I may return the compliment, 
and expect to have my curiosity gratified by your 
living much more to the north. 
For many years past I have observed that, to- 
wards Christmas, vast flocks of CHAFFINCHES have 
appeared in the fields; many more, | used to think, 
than could be hatched in any one neighbourhood, 
