'arm 



LETTER XXIX. 



To the same. 



SELBORNE, May 12/4 1770. 



EAR SIR, Last month we had such a series of 

 cold turbulent weather, such a constant succession 

 of frost, and snow, and hail, and tempest, that the 

 regular migration or appearance of the summer 

 birds was much interrupted. Some did not show 

 themselves (at least were not heard) till weeks 

 after their usual time ; as the blackcap and white- 

 throat ; and some have not been heard yet, as the grasshopper-lark 

 and largest willow-wren. As to the fly-catcher, I have not seen it ; 

 it is indeed one of the latest, but should appear about this time : and 

 yet, amidst all this meteorous strife and war of the elements, two 

 swallows discovered themselves as long ago as the eleventh of April, 

 in frost and snow ; but they withdrew quickly, and were not visible 

 again for many days. House-martins, which are always more back- 

 ward than swallows, were not observed till May came in. 



Among the monogamous birds several are to be found, after 



