rocrm 



LETTER XI. 



To the same. 



SELBORNK, Feb. 8/7/, 1772. 



EAR SIR, When I ride about in the winter, 

 and see such prodigious flocks of various 

 kinds of birds, I cannot help admiring at these 

 congregations, and wishing that it was in my 

 power to account for those appearances 

 almost peculiar to the season. The two 

 great motives which regulate the proceedings 

 of the brute creation are love and hunger ; the former incites 

 animals to perpetuate their kind ; the latter induces them to 

 preserve individuals ; whether either of these should seem to 

 be the ruling passion in the matter of congregating is to be 

 considered. As to love, that is out of the question at a time 

 of the year when that soft passion is not indulged : besides, 



