OF SELBORNE 71 



LETTER XXIX 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Selborne, May 12, 1770. 



Dear Sir, 

 Last month we had such a series of cold turbulent weather, 

 such a constant succession of frost, and snow, and hail, and 

 tempest, that the regular migration or appearance of the 

 summer birds was much interrupted. Some did not show 

 themselves (at least were not heard) till weeks after their 

 usual time ; as the black-cap and white-throat ; and some 

 have not been heard yet, as the grasshopper-lark and 

 largest willow-wren. As to the fly-catcher, I have not 

 seen it ; it is indeed one of the latest, but should appear 

 about this time : and yet, amidst all this meteorous strife 

 and war of the elements, two swallows discovered them- 

 selves as long ago as the eleventh of April, in frost and 

 snow ; but they withdrew quickly, and were not visible 

 again for many days. House-martins, which are always 

 more backward than swallows, were not observed till May 

 came in. 



Among the monogamous birds several are to be found, 

 after pairing-time, single, and of each sex : but whether 

 this state of celibacy is matter of choice or necessity, is not 

 so easily discoverable. When the house-sparrows deprive 

 my martins of their nests, as soon as I cause one to be shot, 

 the other, be it cock or hen, presently procures a mate, and 

 so for several times following. 



I have known a dove-house infested by a pair of white 

 owls, which made great havoc among the young pigeons : 

 one of the owls was shot as soon as possible ; but the 

 survivor readily found a mate, and the mischief went on. 

 After some time the new pair were both destroyed, and the 

 annoyance ceased. 



Another instance I remember of a sportsman, whose zeal 

 for the increase of his game being greater than his humanity, 



