94 The Natural History of Selborne 



of these churn-owls came and settled on the cross of that little straw 

 edifice and began to chatter, and continued his note for many 

 minutes ; and we were all struck with wonder to find that the organs 

 of that little animal, when put in motion, gave a sensible vibration 

 to the whole building ! This bird also sometimes makes a small 

 squeak, repeated four or five times ; and I have observed that to 

 happen when the cock has been pursuing the hen in a toying way 

 through the boughs of a tree. 



It would not be at all strange if your bat, which you have pro- 

 cured, should prove a new one, since five species have been found 

 in a neighbouring kingdom. The great sort that I mentioned is 

 certainly a nondescript ; I saw but one this summer, and that I had 

 no opportunity of taking. 



Your account of the Indian grass was entertaining. I am no 

 angler myself ; but inquiring of those that are, what they supposed 

 that part of their tackle to be made of? they replied, "Of the 

 intestines of a silkworm." 



Though I must not pretend to great skill in entomology, yet I 

 cannot say that I am ignorant of that kind of knowledge ; I may 

 now and then perhaps be able to furnish you with a little informa- 

 tion. 



The vast rains ceased with us much about the same time as with 

 you, and since we have had delicate weather. Mr. Barker, who 

 has measured the rain for more than thirty years, says, in a late 

 letter, that more has fallen this year than in any he ever attended 

 to ; though from July 1763 to January 1764 more fell than in any 

 seven months of this year. 



