OF SELBORNE. 153 
stand still to be taken, as is the case with boobies, 
é&c. As an example of what is advanced, I re. 
mark, that the golden-crested wren (the smallest 
British bird) will stand unconcerned till you come 
within three or four yards of it; while the bustard 
(otis), the largest British land-fowl, does not care 
to admit a person within so many furlongs. 
LETTER IIl. 
Selborne, Jan. 15, 1770. 
Dear Sir,—It was no small matter of satisfac. 
tion to me to find that you were not displeased 
with my little methodus of birds. If there was any 
merit in the sketch, it must be owing to its punc- 
tuality. For many months I carried a list in my 
pocket of the birds that were to be remarked, and, 
as I rode or walked about my business, I noted 
each day the continuance or omission of each bird’s 
song, so that I am as sure of the certainty of my 
facts as a man can be of any transaction whatso- 
ever. 
I shall now proceed to answer the several que- 
ries which you put in your two obliging letters in 
the best manner that I am able. Perhaps East. 
wick and its environs, where you heard so very 
few birds, is not a woodland country, and, there. 
fore, not stocked with such songsters. If you will 
cast your eye on my last letter, you will find that 
many species continued to warble after the begin- 
ning of July. 
. The titlark and yellow-hammer hatch late, the 
