252 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBOKNE 1774 



From the Naturalist's Journal — 



" May 7th. In some former years, I see, house-martins have 

 not appeared 'til the beginning of May: the case was the 

 same this year: and yet they afterwards abounded. These 

 long delays are more in favour of migration than of a torpid 

 state. 



" May 24th. Ophrys nidus avis, Brother Thomas. This 

 curious plant was found in bloom in the long Lythe among 

 the dead leaves under the thickest beeches, and also among 

 some bushes at Dorton." 



The following letter is from Sampson Newbery, 

 Fellow of Exeter, who was apparently the " observ- 

 ing Devonshire gentleman " mentioned in Letter 

 XXXI. to Pennant, as giving Gilbert White infor- 

 mation about the breeding and migration of ring- 

 ousels in that county. His father, the Eev. Sampson 

 Newbery, was of Zele, in South Tawton, Devonshire. 



From S. Newlery. Exeter College, 14th June, 1774. 



Dear Sir, — Both your letters I have been favoured with ; 

 one while I was with my father in Devonshire ; the other 

 I found on my table at my return to college last Sunday. 

 . . . Whether my engagements here will permit me to make 

 an excursion into Hants this summer, I can't yet easily de- 

 termine: of this you may be assured; that whenever an 

 opportunity presents itself, an inclination shall not be want- 

 ing on my part. 



My acquaintance with birds and their history is so slender, 

 that I fear all the information I can furnish on that subject 

 will afford you but small satisfation. Such answers to 

 your enquiries as my observation will supply I shall very 

 readily communicate. 



