NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



LETTER XXI. 



SELBORNE, Nw. 2&th, 1768. 



DEAR SIR, With regard to the (zdicnemus, or stone-curlew, I 

 intend to write very soon to my friend near Chichester, in whose 

 neighbourhood these birds seem most to abound ; and shall urge 

 him to take particular notice when they begin to congregate, and 







THE PUFFIN (Puffinus arcticus). 



afterwards to watch them most narrowly whether they do not 

 withdraw themselves during the dead of the winter. When I have 

 obtained information with respect to this circumstance, I shall 

 have finished my history of the stone-curlew, which I hope will 

 prove to your satisfaction, as it will be, I trust, very near the truth. 

 This gentleman, as he occupies a large farm of his own, and is 

 abroad early and late, will be a very proper spy upon the motions 

 of these birds ; and besides, as I have prevailed on him to buy the 



