AND i:om:iiT MAHSIIAM. 297 



castles: but has been found, but very seldem indeed, in Eng- 

 land. So that you will have the satisfaction of introducing 

 a new bird of which future Ornithologists will say, " found 

 at Stratton in Norfolk by that painful, & accurate Naturalist, 

 Robert Marsham, Esq." You observe that Scopoli does 

 not take notice that the hind-claw is about double the length 

 of the fore-claws: but Linnaeus corroborates your remark by 

 saying " Ungues validi, praesertim posticus." You seem a 

 little to misunderstand Scopoli respecting the spots on the 

 inner-side of the quill feathers : by the inner side he does not 

 mean the under side of the wing next the body ; but only the 

 inner or broader web of the quills, on which those remarkable 

 spots are found, as appear by the drawing. I am much de- 

 lighted with the exact copies sent me in the frank, & so 

 charmingly executed by the fair unknown, whose soft hand has 

 directed her pencil in a most elegant manner, & given the 

 specimen sa truly delicate & feathery appearance. Had she 

 condescended to have drawn the whole bird, I should have 

 been doubly gratified ! It is natural to young Ladies to wish 

 to captivate men: but she will smile to find that her present 

 conquest is a very old man. 



My best thanks are due for all your good offices respecting 

 my work, & in particular for your late recommendation to the 

 Duke of Portland. 



You did not in y r last, take any notice of my enquiries 

 concerning wood-peckers, whether they ever pierce a sound 

 tree, or only those that are tending to decay. I have ob- 

 served that with us they love to bore the edible chest-nuts ; 

 perhaps because the wood is softer than that of oak. They 

 breed in my outlet, I think in old willows. You have not 

 told me anything about Arthur Young. You cannot abhor 

 the dangerous doctrines of levellers & republicans more than 

 I do ! I was born & bred a Gentleman, & hope I shall be al- 

 lowed to die such. The reason you having so many bad 

 neighbours is your nearness to a great factious, manufacturing 

 town. Our common people are more simple-minded & know 

 nothing of Jacobin clubs. 



I admire your fortitude & resolution ; & wonder that you 



