AND ROBERT MARSIIAM. 283 



my Phil. Trans, brought me no account of the fern-Owl, 

 which i expected from a former letter of your's. Beech 1. 

 Ap. 11. Oak 1. Ap. 13. Swallow Ap. 13. Cuckow Ap. 22. 

 I put down articles in my Indications of Spring, only from 

 my own knowledge. But i have often accounts that i fully 

 believe, e. g. a Swallow this Spring on the first of April. I 

 should have been glad to have seen the white Woodcock Ld 

 Stawell gave you ; & i will try to borrow the sixth report of 

 the Com rs for enquiry &c. I can easily believe great abuses 

 are practised upon them. I have an old Park (long dis- 

 parked) formerly belonging to the Crown, & after to the Bp. 

 of Norwich, & the neighbours steal as much wood from it, as i 

 gain. I never heard of a Winter Swallow until you named 

 it. I should rejoice to read your Brothers Nat. Hist, of the 

 Rock &c. Pray Sir why do you not publish it ? I should 

 think it would sell well, as curiosity seems to increase amongst 

 mankind. I do not know the Bird you call the Chif-chaf. 

 But i am filled with wonder by the Harmony and Beauty of 

 all the Works in the Creation. I remain with true esteem 

 dear Sir your obedient 



& obliged servant, 



R: MARSHAM. 



A gentleman of my acquaintance in this County had a 

 tortoise of above 100 years old, from the family account, which 

 was unluckilly killed by the Gardener. As i find by your 

 Book, you was formerly a Sportsman, i conclude you love 

 dogs, so i may tell you an history of a favourite bitch of 

 mine. I destroyed her first litter of whelps ; her 2 d litter she 

 laid in a secret place. These i also destroyed ; her 3 d she 

 layed in a large cony-burrow over a furlong from the house, 

 & quite out of sight : could human wisdom do more ? She 

 went a hunting with a partner dog, & i chastised them, the 

 partner first: for every lash i gave it, she cried, as if suffering 

 herself. When i whipped her, she did not cry once. Was 

 not this feeling more for her friend than herself? & is not 

 this a proof of more exalted friendship than you have ever 

 known in the human race? D r Leigh says he knew a dog 



