MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 241 



or before Aug 1 is worth twenty after that time, as most birds 

 are then out of feather, and the young ones are seldom in full 

 or proper plumage till the winter, and many till the ensuing 

 spring. In the latter end of October birds have mostly done 

 moulting and are again fit for preservation ; however, scarce 

 birds are at all times acceptable, till a better supplies its place. 

 Since I wrote I have killed the male Goatsucker ; and as I 

 have seen a female, it is probable I may get it, but the egg I 

 despair of in this part. 

 I remain, d r Sir, 

 Your much obliged and faithful humble servant, 



G. MONTAGU. 



LETTER VI. 



FROM GILBERT WHITE TO JOSEPH BANKS, ESQ. 



Selborne, April 21, 1708. 



Sir, 

 Lest you should suspect that I forget my promise, I take the 

 liberty to acquaint you that either the unusual dryness of last 

 month, or some unknown cause, has retarded the blowing of 

 the Latlircea squammaria* ; it does not yet appear above ground 

 as usual. When it had appeared I should not have failed to 

 have sent you a specimen in a pot, with the Coleoptera its 

 constant attendants ; but now I find last night, by a letter of 

 Mr. Pennant, dated from Chester, that you are going to leave 

 the kingdom again in pursuit of natural knowledge. 



I was greatly in hopes once that both you gentlemen would 

 have honoured me with your company this spring ; but now 

 it seems that unless Mr. Skinner of C.C.C. should happen to 

 come (as he has partly promised), I must plod on by myself, 

 with few books and no soul to communicate my doubts or 

 discoveries to. 



* [This plant has grown in a garden in the village within the last few 

 years, and appears to have been parasitic upon the roots of plum-trees. — 

 T. B.] 



VOL. II. R 



