126 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



Foreign systematics are, I observe, much too vague in 

 their specific differences ; which are almost universally 

 constituted by one or two particular marks, the rest of the 

 description running in general terms. But our countryman, 

 the excellent Mr. Ray, is the only describer that conveys 

 some precise idea in every term or word, maintaining his 

 superiority over his followers and imitators in spite of the 

 advantage of fresh discoveries and modern information. 



At this distance of years it is not in my power to 

 recollect at what periods woodcocks used to be sluggish or 

 alert when I was a sportsman ; but, upon my mentioning 

 this circumstance to a friend, he thinks he has observed 

 them to be remarkably listless against snowy foul weather : 

 if this should be the case, then the inaptitude for flying 

 arises only from an eagerness for food ; as sheep are 

 observed to be very intent on grazing against stormy wet 

 evenings. 



I am, etc. etc. 



LETTER XI 



TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES HARRINGTON. 



Selborne, Feb. 8, 1772. 



DEAR SIR, 



WHEN I ride about in the winter, and see such prodigious 

 flocks of various kinds of birds, I cannot help admiring at 

 these congregations, and wishing that it was in my power 

 to account for those appearances almost peculiar to the 

 season. The two great motives which regulate the pro- 

 ceedings of the brute creation are love and hunger ; the 

 former incites animals to perpetuate their kind, the latter 

 induces them to preserve individuals ; whether either of 

 these should seem to be the ruling passion in the matter 

 of congregating is to be considered. As to love, that is 

 out of the question at a time of the year when that soft 



