198 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBOENE 1739 



known author of the * Ornithological Dictionary,' 

 and several other highly-esteemed works. 



From Col. G. Montagu. 



Easton Grey, n"^ Tedbury Glostershire, 



May 21st, 1789. 



Sir, — ^Although I have not the pleasure of being per- 

 sonally acquainted with you, yet I flatter myself you will 

 pardon this intrusion of an enthusiastic ornithologist. 



I have been greatly entertained by your * Natural History 

 of Selborn,' in the ornithological part of which, I find 

 mention made of three distinct species of willow wrens. 

 Can you inform me if they are (besides the common) the 

 larger and lesser pettychaps of Latham, neither of which 

 are described by Pennant in his ' Brit. Zool.' ? he describes 

 a species with the inside of the mouth red, which I can 

 not make out in this country: those two of Latham I 

 believe I have got, as far as I can judge from the descrip- 

 tion that gentleman favoured me with : but his sedge wren 

 I am at a loss for, as he describes the sedge bird besides of 

 the ' Brit. Zool.' 



I should esteem it a particular favour, if you have it 

 in your power, if you will favour me with the weight and 

 description of the two uncommon willow wrens. 



I was induced to take this liberty as you say you are 

 a field-naturalist and perhaps may have it in your power 

 to assist me in my present pursuit. I am collecting and 

 preserving the birds and their eggs of these parts, a pro- 

 vincial undertaking in which I am got forward, and as 

 those of Hampshire and Wiltshire are nearly congenial 

 (the coast excepted) some species, I presume, are more 

 frequently met with about you than with us : will you 

 excuse my mentioning a few that should they fall in your 

 way, you will confer a considerable obligation on me by 

 favouring me with them. 



