OF SELBORNE. 119 



It A II NOMINA. 



In it's descent ; also sitting on 

 trees, and walking on the 

 ground. 



Woodl,,K-, 



Blackbird, Menihi: Sometimes from bush to bush'. 



White-throat, FicuMcc affinis : \ Use ? ^ sin ^ n the wing 



) odd jerks and gesticulations. 



Swallow, Jlinmdo domestica : In soft sunny weather. 



Wren, Passer troglodytes : Sometimes from bush to bush. 



Birds that breed most early in these parts. 



Raven, Corvns : Hatches in February audMarch. 



Song-thrush, Turdtts : In March. 



Blackbird, Merula : In March. 



Rook, CornLv frugileya : Builds the beginning of March. 



Woodlark, Alauda arborea : Hatches in April. 



Ring-dove, Palumbus torquatus : Lays the beginning of April. 



All birds that continue in full song till after Midsummer 

 appear to me to breed more than once. 



Most kinds of birds seem to me to be wild and shy some- 

 what in proportion to their bulk ; I mean in this island, where 

 they are much pursued and annoyed : but in Ascension Is- 

 land, and many other desolate places, mariners have found 

 fowls so unacquainted with an human figure, that they would 

 stand still to be taken ; as is the case with boobies, &c. As 

 an example of what is advanced, I remark that the golden- 

 crested wren (the smallest British bird) will stand unconcerned 

 till you come within three or four yards of it, while the bus- 

 tard (otis)j the largest British land fowl, does not care to ad- 

 mit a person within so many furlongs. 



I am, &c. 



