CHAPTEK IX. 



In February, 1770, Gilbert White, who was visiting 

 his brother at Fy field, went to " Charlton in Wilts," 

 and notes in his Naturalist's Journal that he 



"saw Bustards on Sahsbury Plain. They much resemble 

 fallow deer at a distance. Partridges pair. Wild Geese 

 in the winter do great damage to the green wheat on 

 Salisbury Plain. Grey crows are not seen 'til we come 

 about Andover from the eastward. As you go thence 

 westward into Wilts they abound. Buntings abound in 

 this part of Wilts." 



This spring apparently marks the first record of 

 intention to collect and publish his observations in 

 natural history, since, on April 12th, just after 

 making his usual Oxford journey, he wrote to Daines 

 Barrington : — 



" When we meet, I shall be glad to have some conversa- 

 tion with you concerning the proposal you make of my 

 drawing up an account of the animals in this neighbour- 

 hood. Your partiality towards my small abihties persuades 

 you, I fear, that I am able to do more than is in my power : 

 for it is no small undertaking for a man unsupported and 

 alone to begin a natural history from his own autopsia! 



175 



