166 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBORNE i787 



Naturalist's Journal at South Lambeth, where its 

 author was visiting, and, as usual, using his eyes : — 



"May 21. A pair of red-backed Butcher-birds, Lanius 

 collurio, have got a nest in Bro. Tho. outlet. They have 

 built in a quick-set hedge. 



"In outlets about town, where mosses, lichens, gossamer, 

 etc. are wanting, birds do not make nests so peculiar each 

 to its species. Thus the nest of the chaffinch has not 

 that elegant appearance, nor is it so beautifully studded 

 with lichens as those in the country ; and the wren is 

 obliged to construct his nest with straws and dry grasses, 

 that do not give it that roundness and compactness so re- 

 markable in the edifices of that little architect. 



" June 2. Hay is making at Vauxhall." 



The following interesting letter from Mr. Churton 

 was written at Selborne in the absence of the 

 Naturalist, who had gone to London on the day 

 previous. It seems unnecessary to print all the 

 other letters from this correspondent to Gilbert White 

 in the present writer's possession, especially as Mr. 

 Bell has done so ; but by the kindness of a descendant, 

 two letters to him from his Selborne correspondent, 

 in addition to those printed by Mr. Bell, are now 

 added : — 



From the Bev. B. Churton. 



Selborne, June 6, 1787. 



Dear Sir, — I am just arrived from Waverley, and very 

 sorry not to find the master of this hospitable mansion at 

 home. I did not know that I should be at Waverley these 

 holidays till just before I set out thither; and when my 

 plan was fixt I purposed at several times to write to enquire 



