64 WHITE 



ors that visit us for a short space every autumn do not come 

 from thence. 



And here, I think, will be the proper place to mention that 

 those birds were most punctual again in their migration this 

 autumn, appearing, as before, about the 3Oth September ; but 

 their flocks were larger than common, and their stay protracted 

 somewhat beyond the usual time. If they came to spend the 

 whole winter with us, as some of their congeners do, and then 

 left us, as they do, in spring, I should not be so much struck 

 with the occurrence, since it would be similar to that of the 

 other winter birds of passage ; but when I see them for a fort- 

 night at Michaelmas, and again for about a week in the middle 

 of April, I am seized with wonder, and long to be informed 

 whence these travellers come, and whither they go, since they 

 seem to use our hills merely as an inn or baiting place. 



Your account of the greater brambling, or snow-fleck, is 

 very amusing ; and strange it is that such a short-winged bird 

 should delight in such perilous voyages over the northern 

 ocean ! Some country-people in the winter time have every 

 now and then told me that they have seen two or three white 

 larks on our downs, but, on considering the matter, I begin to 

 suspect that these are some stragglers of the birds we are talk- 

 ing of, which sometimes perhaps may rove so far to the south- 

 ward. 



It pleases me to find that white hares are so frequent on the 

 Scottish mountains, and especially as you inform me that it is 

 a distinct species ; for the quadrupeds of Britain are so few, 

 that every new species is a great acquisition. 



The eagle-owl, could it be proved to belong to us, is so 

 majestic a bird, that it would grace OUT fauna much. I never 

 was informed before where wild-geese are known to breed. 



You admit, I find, that I have proved your fen salicaria to 

 be the lesser reed-sparrow of Ray ; and I think you may be se- 

 cure that I am right, for I took very particular pains to clear 

 up that matter, and had some fair specimens ; but, as they 

 were not well preserved, they are decayed already. You will, 

 no doubt, insert it in its proper place in your next edition. 

 Your additional plates will much improve your work. 



De Buffon, I know, has described the water shrew-mouse: 



