n8 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 



I have discovered an anecdote with respect to the field- 

 fare (turdus pilaris), which I think is particular enough ; 

 this bird, though it sits on trees in the daytime, and pro- 

 cures the greatest part of its food from white-thorn hedges ; 

 yea, moreover, builds on very high trees, as may be seen by 

 the fauna suecica ; yet always appears with us to roost on 

 the ground. They are seen to come in flocks just before 

 it is dark, and to settle and nestle among the heath on our 

 forest. And besides, the larkers, in dragging their nets by 

 night frequently catch them in the wheat stubbles ; while 

 the bat-fowlers, who take many red-wings in the hedges, 

 never entangle any of this species. Why these birds, in 

 the matter of roosting, should differ from all their con- 

 geners, and from themselves also with respect to their pro- 

 ceedings by day, is a fact for which I am by no means able 

 to account. 



[You are, I understand, embarked in the great & extensive 

 work of an universal zoology. It will be very seldom, I 

 fear, that I shall be able to send you any assistance.] 



I have somewhat to inform you of concerning the 

 moose-deer ; but in general foreign animals fall seldom in 

 my way ; my little intelligence is confined to the narrow 

 sphere of my own observations at home. 



[As a naturalist I may say 



.... ego apis matinae 



More modoque 



Grata carpentis thyma per laborem 

 Plurimum, circa nemus uvidique 

 Triburis ripas, operosa parvus 



.... fingo. 



With my respects to Mr. Harrington, & thanks for his 

 two letters, I conclude 



Your obliged, & 



Humble servant 



GIL: WHITE.] 



very act of throwing itself down ; and, falling upon its elastic spines, it would in a 

 few seconds after alighting upon the stones, open and run off, wholly unhurt by this 

 voluntary fall of at least ten feet " (ed. " Selborne," vol. i. p. 79 note). [R. B. S.] 



