1771 SENDS BIEDS TO PENNANT 193 



If you should think it proper to have the Hirundo melha 

 taken, would it not be right to have it drawn on its back ; 

 because the colour of the belly is, size excepted, the chief 

 thing that distinguishes it from the Hir. apus. It is a 

 swift to all intents and purposes. 



You pay us a great compliment when you say that our 

 account of Gibraltar will in a manner comprehend the 

 animals of South Europe. It is a work that I could wish 

 see reduced to some degree of correctness ; and therefore 

 am much gratified when you tender us your best assistance, 

 which I am perswaded would be its best support. I have 

 been in a pother lately about writing to that place, fearing 

 lest this misunderstanding between the two nations may 

 interrupt the correspondence by the post, and suspecting 

 my last letter never reached my Brother. Mr. Barrington 

 seems to think that the intercourse is still subsisting. 



I have looked over Mr. Forster's catalogue of British 

 insects,* and have somewhat to advance on that subject; 

 but time will not permit me at present, as I am pretty 

 much hurryed. We have had vast rains for these ten 

 weeks past, and some great storms, especially one on the 

 20th December in the morning; now severe frost. 



Hoping your troublesome cold has left you, and desiring 

 you to accept the good wishes of the season, 

 I conclude with great esteem. 



Your obliged and humble servant, 



Gil. White. 



To the Rev. John White.] 



[Headed "Bro. John."] 



(2) 



Selborne, Jan. 25, 1771. 



Dear Brother, — I received your kind letter of October 

 19th, and wrote you an answer on November 6th. I should 



* Published at Warrington, under the auspices of Pennant, in 1770. — A. N. 

 t At Gibraltar. 



VOL. I. O 



