118 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



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 a human figure, 

 that they would stand still to be taken ; as is the case with 

 boobies, etc. 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. 



LETTER III. 



SELBORNE, Jan. 15th, 1770. 



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 



