66 NATURAL HISTORY 



my neighbours were assembled in an hermitage on the side 

 of a steep hill where we drink tea, one of these churn-owls 

 came and settled on the cross of that little straw edifice and 

 began to chatter, and continued his note for many minutes : 

 and we were all struck with wonder to find that the organs of 

 that little animal, when put in motion, gave a sensible vibra- 

 tion to the whole building ! This bird also sometimes makes 

 a small squeak, repeated four or five times ; and I have ob- 

 served that to happen when the cock has been pursuing the 

 hen in a toying way through the boughs of a tree. 



It would not be at all strange if your bat, which you have 

 procured, should prove a new one, since five species have been 

 found in a neighbouring kingdom. The great sort that I 

 mentioned is certainly a non-descript : I saw but one this 

 summer, and that I had no opportunity of taking. 



Your account of the Indian-grass was entertaining. I am 

 no angler myself ; but inquiring of those that are, what they 

 supposed that part of their tackle to be made of? they replied 

 " of the intestines of a silkworm." 



Though I must not pretend to great skill in entomology, 

 yet I cannot say that I am ignorant of that kind of know- 

 ledge : I may now and then, perhaps, be able to furnish you 

 with a little information. 



The vast rains ceased with us much about the same time as 

 with you, and since we have had delicate weather. Mr. Bar- 

 ker., who has measured the rain for more than thirty years, 

 says, in a late letter, that more has fallen this year than in 

 any he ever attended to ; though, from July 1763 to January 

 1764, more fell than in any seven months of this year. 



the month of August 1863 there was a nest on Selborne Common ; and at 

 that time one remained in my garden a whole day, flying lazily from one 

 part to another when disturbed, but very dull and inactive. As evening 

 came on it reassumed its natural activity and flew gaily away. It was 

 probably one of the parent birds to whom the nest on the common be- 

 longed. See Mr. Churton's letter to G. W., Jan. 23, 1793. T. B.] 



