Or SELBORNE. 109 



vernier visit, as I much desired, I presume 

 that, with proper assistants, I should have 

 settled the matter past all doubt; but 

 though the third of November was a sweet 

 day, and in appearance exactly suited to 

 my wishes, yet not a martin was to be seen ; 

 and so I was forced, reluctantly, to give 

 up the pursuit. 



I have only to add that were the bushes, 

 which cover some acres, and are not my 

 own property, to be grubbed and carefully 

 examined, probably those late broods, and 

 perhaps the whole aggregate body of the 

 house-martins of this district, might be 

 found there, in different secret dormito- 

 ries ; and that, so far from withdrawing 

 into warmer climes, it would appear that 

 they never depart three hundred yards 

 from the village. 



