OF SELBORNE. 171 
across the bay to the southwest, and so pass over 
»pposite to Tangier, which, it seems, is the narrow- 
est space. 
In former letters we have considered whether it 
was probable that Woopcocks in moonshiny nights 
cross the German Ocean from Scandinavia. As 
a proof that birds of less speed may pass that sea, 
considerable as it is, I shall relate the following in- 
cident, which, though mentioned to have happened 
so many years ago, was strictly matter of fact: 
As some people were shooting in the parish of 
Trotten, in the county of Sussex, they killed a duck 
in that dreadful winter 1708-9, with a silver collar 
about its neck,* on which were engraven the arms 
of the King of Denmark. This anecdote the rec- 
tor of Trotten at that time has often told to a near 
relation of mine; and, to the best of my remem. 
brance, the collar was in the possession of the rec- 
tor. 
At present I do net know anybody near the sea- 
* T have read a like anecdote of a swan. 
