SINGING BIRDS. 105 



region of the air ; and that is the reason I never could pro- 

 cure one.* Now, this is exactly the ease with the swifts ; 

 for they take their food in a more exalted region than the 

 other species, and are very seldom seen hawking for flies 

 near the ground, or over the surface of the water. From 

 hence I would conclude, that these Mrundines, and the 

 larger bats, are supported by some sorts of high-flying gnats, 

 scarabs, or plialcence, that are of short continuance, and that 

 the short stay of these strangers is regulated by the defect 

 of their food. 



By my journal it appears that curlews clamoured on to 

 October the thirty-first, since which I have not seen or 

 heard any. Swallows were observed on to November the 

 third. 



LETTEE XXIX. 



TO THE HON. DAINES BARRINGTOtf. 



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 mefhodus, 

 or systematic table of birds. If there was any merit in the 

 sketch, it must be owing to its punctuality. Eor 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 



* Mr. White has the merit of first noticing this species in England : it is 

 the vespertilio noctula of Dr. Fleming, and said by that naturalist to winter 

 in Italy. W.J. 



