NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 123 



Most kinds of birds seem to me to be wild and shy somewhat in 

 proportion to their bulk ; I mean in this island, where they are 

 much pursued and annoyed ; but in Ascension Island, and many 

 other desolate places, mariners have found fowls so unacquainted 

 with an human figure, that they would stand still to be taken ; as is 

 the case with boobies, &c. As an example of what is advanced, I 

 remark that the golden-crested wren (the smallest British bird) will 

 stand unconcerned till you come within three or four yards of it, 

 while the bustard (Otis\ the largest British land fowl, does not care 

 to admit a person within so many furlongs.* 



I am, c. 



* Size has little to do with the familiarity of birds ; some are of a more wild and timorous 

 disposition than others, but quiet and familiarity with objects is one, ignorance of objects 

 which may ann jy them, another cause. Birds know by memory the persons and objects 

 that disturb them, and if frequently molested will spcn become exceedingly shy. The 

 wood-pigeon, naturally of a very shy disposition, if not disturbed about a garden or 

 shrubbery, allows a very near approach. We have known the common thrush fed upon 

 its nest. Game birds of all kinds are easily familiarised, and show no fear when they do 

 not experience molestation. Sea fowl on islands seldom visited are more abundant during 

 the breeding time, and are more careless of themselves and bold in protection of their 

 young. There, unaccustomed to intrusion, they do not move out of the way of what they 

 do not know to be danger. On the Bass recks in the Frith of Forth Solan geese are, as it 

 were, quite familiar ; they will attack a dog or strike at a foot held out to them, and 

 specimens we procured some years since were taken off their nests by the bill. See also 

 note to Letter XXXVIII. 



