The Natural History of Selborne 357 



been a female ; but I was not permitted to cut open the specimen. 

 For one of the birds of prey, which are usually Jean, this was in high 

 case : in its craw were many barley-corns, which probably came from 

 the crop of the wood-pigeon, on which it was feeding when shot ; 

 for voracious birds do not eat grain, but when devouring their 

 quarry, with undistinguishing vehemence swallow bones and feathers, 

 and all matters, indiscriminately. This falcon was probably driven 

 from the mountains of North Wales or Scotland, where they are 

 known to breed, by rigorous weather and deep snows that had lately 

 fallen. I am, &c. 



