XXVI11.] 



OF SELBORNE. 



fortnight at Michaelmas, and again for about a week in the begin- 

 ning of April, I am seized with wonder, and long to be informed 

 whence these travellers come, and whither they go, since they 

 seein to use our hills merely as an inn or baiting-place. 



Your account of the greater brambling, or snow-flock, is very 

 amusing; and strange it is that such a short-winged bird should 

 delight in such perilous voyages over the northern ocean ! Some 

 country people in the winter time have every now and then 

 told me that they have seen two or three white larks on our 

 downs ; but, on considering the matter, I begin to suspect that 

 these are some stragglers of the birds we are talking of, which 

 sometimes perhaps may rove so far to the southward. 



It pleases me to find that white hares are so frequent on 

 the Scottish mountains, and especially as you inform me that it 



REED-SPARROW S EGG. 



is a distinct species, for the quadrupeds of Britain are so few, 

 that every new species is a great acquisition. 



The eagle-owl, could it be proved to belong to us, is so 

 majestic a bird that it would grace our fauna much. I never 

 was informed before where wild geese are known to breed. 



You admit, I find, that I have proved your fen-salicaria to be 

 the lesser reed-sparrow of Eay : and I think you may be secure 

 that I am right ; for I took very particular pains to clear up 

 that matter, and had some fair specimens ; but, as they were 

 not well preserved, they are decayed already. You will, no 

 doubt, insert it in its proper place in your next edition. Your 

 additional plates will much improve your work. 



De Buffon, I know, has described the water shrew-mouse ; but 

 still I am pleased to find you have discovered it in Lincolnshire, 

 for the reason I have given in the article of the white hare. 



As a neighbour was lately ploughing in a dry chalky field, far 

 removed from any water, he turned out a water-rat, that was 



