u.] 



OF SELBORNE. 



171 



In the garden of the Black-Bear Inn in the town of Reading 

 is a stream or canal running under the stables and out into 

 the fields on the other side of the road : in this water are many 

 carps, which lie rolling about in sight, being fed by travellers, 

 who amuse themselves by tossing them bread ; but as soon as 

 the weather grows at all severe these fishes are no longer seen, 

 because they retire under the stables, where they remain till the 

 return of spring. Do they lie in a torpid state ? If they do not, 

 how are they supported ? 



The note of the whitethroat, which is continually repeated, 

 and often attended with odd gesticulations on the wing, is harsh 



THE WHITETHHOAT. 



and displeasing. These birds seem of a pugnacious disposition ; 

 for they sing with an erected crest and attitudes of rivalry and 

 defiance ; are shy and wild in breeding-time, avoiding neigh- 

 bourhoods, and haunting lonely lanes and commons ; nay, even 

 the very tops of the Sussex downs, where there are bushes and 

 coveit; but in July and August they bring their broods into 



