of Selborne 107 



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, etc. As an example of what is ad- 

 vanced, 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 

 ((?/u), the largest British land fowl, does not care to 

 admit a person within so many furlongs. 



I am, etc. 



LETTER III 



TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES BARRINGTON 



Selborne, Jan. 15, 1770. 



Dear Sir, 



It was no small matter of satisfaction to me to find that 

 you were not displeased with my little methodus of birds. 

 If there was any merit in the sketch, it must be owing to 

 its punctuality. For many months I carried a list in my 

 pocket of the birds that were to be remarked, and, as I 

 rode or walked about my business, I noted each day the 

 continuance or omission of each bird's song ; so that I am 

 as sure of the certainty of my facts as a man can be of any 

 transaction whatsoever. 



I shall now proceed to answer the several queries which 

 you put in your two obliging letters, in the best manner 

 that I am able. Perhaps Eastwick, and its environs, 

 where you heard so very few birds, is not a woodland 

 country, and therefore not stocked with such songsters. 

 If you will cast your eye on my last letter, you will find 

 that many species continued to warble after the be- 

 ginning of July. 



The titlark and yellowhammer breed late, the latter 

 very late ; and therefore it is no wonder that they protract 

 their song ; for I lay it down as a maxim in ornithology, 

 that as long as there is any incubation going on there is 

 music. As to the red-breast and wren, it is well known 



