OF SELBORNE. 85 
is, and near what town it lies.* I have often 
thought that those vast extent of fens have never 
been sufficiently explored. If half a dozen gentle- 
men, furnished with a good strength of water. 
spaniels, were to beat them over for a week, they 
would certainly find more species. 
There is no bird, I believe, whose manners I 
have studied more than that of the caprimulgus 
(the GoaT-suckERr), as it is a wonderful and curious 
creature; but I have always found that though 
sometimes it may chatter as it flies, as I know it 
does, yet in general it utters its jarring note sit- 
ting on a bough; and I have for many a half hour 
watched it as it sat with its under mandible quiver- 
ing, and particularly this summer. It perches usu- 
ally on a bare twig, with its head lower than its 
tail, in an attitude well expressed by your draughts- 
man in the folio British Zoology. This bird is 
most punctual in beginning its song exactly at the 
close of day; so exactly, that I have known it 
* Cressi Hall is near Spalding, in Lincolnshire. 
. oS 
