UV.] OF SELBORNE. 



subulated wings, abounding in every nest ; and are hatched by 

 the warmth of the bird's own body during incubation, and 

 crawl about under its feathers. 



A species of them is familiar to horsemen in the south of 

 England under the name of forest-fly ; and to some of side-fly 

 from its running sideways like a crab. It creeps under the 

 tails, and about the groins, of horses, which at their first coming 

 out of the north, are rendered half frantic by the tickling sen- 

 sation ; while our own breed little regards them. 



The curious Reaumur discovered the large eggs, or rather 

 pu.pcK, of these flies as big as the flies themselves, which he 

 hatched in his own bosom. Any person that will take the 

 trouble to examine the old nests of either species of swallows 

 may find in them the black shining cases or skins of the pupa: 

 of these insects : but for other particulars, too long for this 

 place, we refer the reader to "L'Histoire d'Insects" of that 

 admirable entomologist torn. iv. pi. 11. 



SELBORNE, July 8, 1773. 



LETTER LIV. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, A'A'Q. 



As you desire me to send you such observations as 7nay occur 

 1 take the liberty of making the following remarks, that you 

 may, according as you think me right or wrong, admit or reject 

 what I here advance, in your intended new edition of the 

 " British Zoology." 



The osprey was shot about a year ago at I'rinsliam pond, a 

 great lake, about six miles from hence, while it was sitting 

 on the handle of a plough and devouring a fish : it used to pre- 

 cipitate itself into the water, and so take its prey by surprise. 



A great ash-coloured butcher-bird was shot last winter iu 

 Tinted Park, and a red-backed butcher-bird at Selborne : they 

 are rarce aves in this county. 



