

NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 123 



each end with small red spots, and surrounded in the middle with 

 a broad bloody zone. 



The hen-bird was shot, and answered exactly to Mr. Ray's 

 description of that species ; had a black cere, short thick legs, 

 and a long tail. When on the wing this species may be easily 

 distinguished from the common buzzard by its hawk-like appear- 

 ance, small head, wings not so blunt, and longer tail. This 

 specimen contained in its craw some limbs of frogs and many 

 grey snails without shells. The irides of the eyes of this bird 

 were of a beautiful bright yellow colour. 



About the loth July in the same summer a pair of sparrow- 

 hawks bred in an old crow's nest on a low beech in the same 

 hanger ; and as their brood, which was numerous, began to grow 

 up, became so daring and ravenous, that they were a terror to all 

 the dames in the village that had chickens or ducklings under 

 their care. A boy climbed the tree, and found the young so 

 fledged that they all escaped from him ; but discovered that a 

 good house had been kept : the larder was well-stored with pro- 

 visions; for he brought down a young blackbird, jay, and house- 

 martin, all clean picked, and some half devoured. The old birds 

 had been observed to make sad havoc for some days among the 

 new-flown swallows and martins, which, being but lately out of 

 their nests, had not acquired those powers and command of wing 

 that enable them, when more mature, to set such enemies at 

 defiance. 



LETTER XLIV. 



SELBORNE, Nov. y>th, 1780. 

 DEAR SIR, Every incident that occasions a renewal of our 

 correspondence will ever be pleasing and agreeable to me. 



As to the wild wood-pigeon, the CEnas, or Vinago, of Ray, I am 

 much of your mind ; and see no reason for making it the origin of 

 the common house-dove : but suppose those that have advanced 



