XXI.] OF SELBORNE. 65 



provision of nature as a new instance of the wisdom of God in 

 the creation. 



As yet I have not quite done with my history of the oedicne- 

 mus, or stone-curlew ; for I shall desire a gentleman in Sussex 

 (near whose house these birds congregate in vast flocks in the 

 autumn) to observe nicely when they leave him (if they do leave 

 him), and when they return again in the spring : I was with this 

 gentleman lately, and saw several single birds. 



SELBOKXE, Oct. 8, 1768. 



LETTER XXI. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 



WITH regard to the oedicnemus, or stone-curlew, I intend to 

 write very soon to my friend near Chichester, in whose neighbour- 

 hood these birds seem most to abound ; and shall urge him to take 

 particular notice when they begin to congregate, and afterwards 

 to watch them most narrowly, whether they do not withdraw 

 themselves during the dead of the winter. When I have ob- 

 tained information with respect to this circumstance, I shall 

 have finished my history of the stone-curlew ; which I hope will 

 prove to your satisfaction, as it will be, I trust, very near the 

 truth. 



It is very extraordinary, as you observe, that a bird so common 

 with us should never straggle to you. 



After a lapse of twenty years, Mr. White adds : [On the 27th 

 of February, 1 788, stone-curlews were heard to pipe ; and on 

 March 1st, after it was dark, some were passing over the village, 

 as might be perceived from their quick short note, which they 

 use in their nocturnal excursions by way of watchword, that 

 they may not stray and lose their companions. 



Thus, we see, that retire whithersoever they may in the winter, 

 they return again early in the spring, and are, as it now appears, 

 the first summer birds that come back. Perhaps the mildness 



VOL. I. K 



