228 THE NATURAL HISTORY [LETT. 



since it would be as difficult to be explained as the most stupen- 

 dous phenomenon in nature. 



" Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow 

 Congealed, the crocus' flamy bud to glow ? 

 Say, what retards, amidst the summer's blaze, 

 Th' autumnal bulb, till pale, declining days ? 

 The GOD of SEASONS ; whose pervading power 

 Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower : 

 He bids each flower His quick'ning word obey ; 

 Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay." 



SELBORNE, July 3, 1778. 



LETTER LXXXIV. 



TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES BARRINOTON. 



" Omnibus animalibus reliquis certus et umusmodi, et in suo cuique genere 

 incessus est : aves solse vario meatu feruntur, et in terra, et in acre." PLIN. 

 Hist. Nat. lib. x. cap. 38. 



" All animals have a certain definite and peculiar gait ; birds alone move in 

 a varied manner both on the ground and in the air." 



A GOOD ornithologist should be able to distinguish birds by their 

 air as well as by their colours and shape ; on the ground as well 

 as on the wing, and in the bush as well as in the hand. For, 

 though it must not be said that every species of birds lias a 

 manner peculiar to itself, yet there is somewhat in most genera 

 at least that at first sight discriminates them, and enables a 

 j udicious observer to pronounce upon them with some certainty. 

 Tut a bird in motion " and it is truly betrayed by its gait." 



- Et vera incessu patuit 



Thus kites and buzzards sail round in circles with wings 

 expanded and motionless ; and it is from their gliding manner 

 that the former are still called in the north of England and 

 Scotland " gleds," from the Saxon verb glidan, to glide. The 



