1767 THE HAKVEST MOUSE 155 



The writer rightly concluded that his friend would 

 come and visit him at Witney, whence he "rode 

 out on purpose to look after the base hore-hound, 

 the stachys fuchsii of Ray, which that gent, says 

 grows near Witney Park." Possibly he was more 

 interested in botany than in the advantages of the 

 Rectory of Cromhall, since he did not accept that 

 preferment. At this time he made entries in the 

 Garden Kalendar of a point in natural history 

 which never escaped his attention, and to which he 

 constantly recurred — the late appearance of swallows. 



" Oct. 29. Saw four or five swallows flying round and 

 settling on the County Hospital at Oxon." 



"Nov. 12. Bro. Benj" saw a Marten flying in Fleet Street." 



In December, 1767, a very interesting entry occurs 



I respecting the harvest mouse, which Gilbert White 



was the first to discover and describe in this country. 



" Dec. 4. Sent two field mice, a species very common in 

 these parts (tho' unknown to the Zoologists) to Thomas 

 Pennant, Esq. of Downing in Flintshire. They resemble 

 much in colour y® mus domesticus tnedius of Ray; but are 

 smaller than the mus domesticus vulg. seu minor of the same 

 great Naturalist. They never enter houses ; are carryed into 

 ricks and barns with y® sheaves; abound in harvest; and 

 build their nests, composed of the blades of corn, up from 

 the ground among the standing wheat; and sometimes 

 in thistles. They breed as many as eight young at one 

 time." 



Pennant availed himself readily of his corre- 

 spondent's information. He has been blamed by 



