NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



107 



LETTER XXXIX. 



SELBORNE, Nov. tyh, 1773. 



DEAR SIR, As you desire me to send you such observations as 

 may occur, I take the liberty of making the following remarks, 

 that you may, according as you think me right or wrong, admit or 

 reject what I here advance, in your intended new edition of the 

 " British Zoology." 



THE OSPREY (Pandion). 



The osprey was shot about a year ago at Frinsham Pond, a 

 great lake, at about six miles from hence, while it was sitting on 

 the handle of a plough and devouring a fish : it used to precipitate 

 itself into the water, and so take its prey by surprise. 



A great ash-coloured butcher-bird was shot last winter in Tisted 

 Park, and a red-backed butcher-bird [shrike] at Selborne : they are 

 rara aves in this county. 1 



