LETTER XXIX 



TO THE SAME 



SELBORNE, May \zth, 1770. 



DEAR 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 black-cap and white- 

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

 hopper-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 backward than swallows, were not observed 

 till May came in. 1 



Among the monogamous birds several are to be found, 

 after pairing-time, single, and of each sex ; but whether 

 this state of celibacy is matter of choice or necessity, is not 

 so easily discoverable. When the house-sparrows deprive 

 my martins of their nests, as soon as I cause one to be 

 shot, the other, be it cock or hen, presently procures a 

 mate, and so for several times following. 



1 This sentence formed part of the previous letter in the original MS., which 

 was dated "May 1 2th, 1770." The rest of the letter does not appear in the 

 MS. Letters to Pennant, and appears to have been an interpolation in Gilbert 

 White's published work. [K B. S.] 



