162 LOCAL FAUNAS. 



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

 were not displeased with my little methodus of birds. 



GILBERT WHITE. 



I LIKE the little faunas which are now and then 

 made by gentlemen residing in the country, of the 

 birds and plants to be found in their immediate 

 neighbourhood. They are always interesting to a 

 naturalist, and it is to be regretted that more of 

 them are not kept by those who have the time and 

 opportunity of doing so. I have occasionally one 

 of these lists sent me, accompanied by observa- 

 tions of the habits of birds, and I receive it with 

 much pleasure. Indeed I may say with Mr. White, 

 that my fondness for natural history, " has led me 

 to the acquaintance of many gentlemen, whose 

 intelligent communications have afforded me much 

 pleasing information ; and that the pursuit of it 

 has contributed to the health of my body, and the 

 cheerfulness and peace of my mind.'* 



The following remarks are extracted from some 

 communications made to me by an " out-door 

 naturalist/ 3 to which I have added a list of the 

 birds in his immediate neighbourhood. They will 

 not, I am sure, prove unacceptable to some of my 

 readers. My correspondent resides in Somerset- 

 shire. 



