NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE., 123 
Most kinds of birds seem to me to be wild and shy somewhat in 
proportion to their bulk; I mean in this island, where they are 
much pursued and annoyed ; but in Ascension Island, and many 
other desolate places, mariners have found fowls so unacquainted 
with an human figure, that they would stand still to be taken; as is 
the case with boobies, &c. Asan example of what is advanced, I 
remark 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 (O/¢zs), the largest British land fowl, does not care 
to admit a person within so many furlongs.* 
I am, &c. 
* Size has little to do with the familiarity of birds; some are of a more wild and timorous 
disposition than others, but quiet and familiarity with objects is one, ignorance of objects 
which may annoy them, another cause. Birds know by memory the persons and objects 
that disturb them, and if frequently molested will soon become exceedingly shy. The 
wood-pigeon, naturally of a very shy disposition, if not disturbed about a garden or 
shrubbery, allows a very near approach. We have known the common thrush fed upon 
its nest. Game birds of all kinds are easily familiarised, and show no fear when they do 
not experience molestation. Sea fowl on islands seldom visited are more abundant during 
the breeding time, and are more careless of themselves and bold in protection of their 
young. There, unaccustomed to intrusion, they do not move out of the way of what they 
do not know to be danger. On the Bass rocks in the Frith of Forth Solan geese are, as it 
were, quite familiar; they will’ attack a dog or strike at a foot held out to them, and 
specimens we procured some years since were taken off their nests by the bill. See also 
note to Letter XX XVIII. 
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