58 NATURAL HISTORY. OF SELBORNE. 
Lag Poe Re ee. 
TO THE SAME. 
SELBORNE, October 8th, 1768. 
IT is I find in zoology as it is in botany ; all nature is so full that 
that district produces the greatest variety which is the most 
examined. Several birds, which are said to belong to the north 
only, are it seems often in the south. I have discovered this summer 
three species of birds with us, which writers mention as only to be 
seen in the northern counties. The first that was brought me (on 
the 14th of May) was the sandpiper, ¢7zzga hypoleucus: it was a 
cock bird, and haunted the banks of some ponds near the village ; 
and, as it had a companion, doubtless intended to have bred near 
SANDPIPER. 
that water. Besides, the owner has told me since, that on recol- 
lection, he has seen some of the same birds round his ponds in 
former summers.* 
* Of the sandpiper we may remark that it would be the unfavourable localities in the 
vicinity of Selborne that caused its scarcity. The common sandpiper, To¢anus (tringa of 
Linnzus) Ayfoleucus, is not particularly a northern bird. It has a very extensive foreign 
range, as well as British, and in this country frequents, during the breeding season, lakes 
with gravelly margins, or clear rocky streams, where it arrives in spring and remains until 
its broods are ready to remove. It is a regular summer visitant, and to the angler isa 
pleasant companion, enlivening the streams with its shrill whistle, and by its active motions. 
During winter there seems to be a partial as well as general migration, some leaving the 
country altogether, others retiring only to the sea-shores. 
