82 THE NATURAL HISTORY [LETT. 



These birds, as they stand numerically, belong to the following 

 Linnsean genera : 



1, 2, 3, Turdus: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 



4, Corvus: Anas. 



5, 6, 7, Seolopax: 15, 16, Loxia. 

 8, Columba: 17, Ampelis. 



Birds that sing in the night are but few : 



Nightingale, Luscinia: j " ^J^ 1691 C Vert hi<L "~ 



Woodlark, Alauda arborea: Suspended in mid air. 



Less reed-sparrow, \ * arunama- / ^ mon , ree( j s anc | w iu OW8- 



( C6^t8 TfllnOT .' l 



1 should now proceed to such birds as continue to sing after 

 Midsummer, but, as they are rather numerous, they would exceed 

 the bounds of this paper ; besides, as this is now the season for 

 remarking on that subject, I am willing to repeat my observa- 

 tions on some birds concerning the continuation of whose song 

 I seem at present to have some doubt. 



SELBORNE, June 30, 1769. 



[As one of my neighbours was traversing Wolmer Forest from 

 Bramshot, across the moors, he found a large uncommon bird 

 fluttering in the heath, but not wounded, which he brought home 

 alive. On examination it proved to be Colymbus glacialis, Linn, 

 the great speckled diver or loon, which is most excellently 

 described in Willughby's " Ornithology." 



Every part and proportion of this bird is so incomparably 

 adapted to its mode of life, that in no instance do we see the 

 wisdom of God in the creation to more advantage. The head is 

 sharp, and smaller than the part of the neck adjoining, in order 

 that it may pierce the water ; the wings are placed forward and 

 out of the centre of gravity, for a purpose which shall be noticed 

 hereafter ; the thighs quite at the podex, in order to facilitate 

 diving ; and the legs are flat, and as sharp backwards almost a.s 

 the edge of a knife, that in striking they may easily cut the 

 water : while the feet are palmated, and broad for swimming, 

 yet so folded up when advanced forward to take a fresh 



