OF SELBORNE 107 



that they would stand still to be taken ;■ as is the case with 

 boobies, etc. As an 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 (otis), the largest British land 

 fowl, does not care to admit a person within so many 

 furlongs. 



I am, etc. 



LETTER III 

 TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES HARRINGTON 



Selborne, Jan. 15, 1770. 



Dear Sir, 



It was no small matter of satisfaction to me to find that 

 you were not displeased with my little methodus of birds. 

 If there was any merit in the sketch, it must be owing to 

 its punctuality. For many months I carried a list in my 

 pocket of the birds that were to be remarked, and, as I 

 rode or walked about my business, I noted each day the 

 continuance or omission of each bird's song ; so that I am 

 as sure of the certainty of my facts as a man can be of any 

 transaction whatsoever. 



I shall now proceed to answer the several queries which 

 you put in your two obliging letters, in the best manner 

 that I am able. Perhaps Eastwick, and its environs, where 

 you heard so very few birds, is not a woodland country, 

 and therefore not stocked with such songsters. If you 

 will cast your eye on my last letter, you will find that many 

 species continued to warble after the beginning of July, 



The tidark and yellowhammer breed late, the latter 

 very late ; and therefore it is no wonder that they protract 

 their song : for I lay it down as a maxim in ornithology, 

 that as long as there is any incubation going on there is 

 music. As to the redbreast and wren, it is well known to 



