118 ORNITHOLOGY OF SELBORNE. 



The tit-mouse, which early in February begins 

 to make two quaint notes, like the whetting of a 

 saw *, is the marsh titmouse ; the great titmouse 

 sings with three cheerful joyous notes, and begins 

 about the same time. 



Wrens sing all the winter through, frost ex- 

 cepted. 



House-martins came remarkably late this year, 

 both in Hampshire and Devonshire : is this circum- 

 stance for or against either hiding or migration ? 



Most birds drink sipping at intervals ; but 

 pigeons take a long continued draught like qua- 

 drupeds. 



Notwithstanding what I have said in a former 

 letter, no grey crows were ever known to breed on 

 Dartmoor ; it was my mistake. 



The appearance and flying of the scarabceus 

 solstitialis, or fern- chafer, commence with the 

 month of July, and cease about the end of it. 

 These scarabs are the constant food of capri- 

 mulgi, or fern-owls, through that period. They 

 abound on the chalky downs, and in some sandy 

 districts, but not in the clays. 



In the garden of the Black Bear Inn, in the 

 town of Reading, is a stream or canal running 

 under the stables and out into the fields on the 

 other side of the road: in this water are many 

 carps, which lie rolling about in sight, being fed by 

 travellers, who amuse themselves by tossing them 

 bread; but as soon as the weather grows at all 

 severe, these fishes are no longer seen, because 

 they retire under the stables, where they remain 

 till the return of spring. Do they lie in a torpid 

 state ? if they do not, how are they supported ? 



1 It is undoubtedly the great titmouse, p. major, which 

 whets like a saw. I have watched for a quarter of an hour 

 together ; it has also cheerful notes. W. J. 



