I 



marks, the rest of the description running in general 

 terms. But our countryman, the excellent Mr. Ray, 

 is the only describer that conveys some precise idea 

 in every term or word, maintaining his superiority 

 over his followers and imitators in spite of the ad- 

 vantage of fresh discoveries and modern information. 

 At this distance of years it is not in my power to 

 recollect at what periods woodcocks used to be slug- 

 gish or alert when I was a sportsman : but upon my 

 mentioning this circumstance to a friend, he thinks 

 he has observed them to be remarkably listless 

 against snowy foul weather : if this should be the 

 case, then the inaptitude for flying arises only from 

 an eagerness for food ; as sheep are observed to be 

 very intent on grazing against stormy wet evenings. 

 Selborne, Aug. I, IT]!. 



LETTER XLVL 

 To Thomas Pennant, Esq. 



The summer through I have seen but two of that 

 large species of bat which I call Vcspcrtilio altivolans, 

 from its manner of feeding high in the air: I pro- 

 cured one of them, and found it to be a male; and 

 made no doubt, as they accompanied together, that 

 the other was a female ; but happening in an evening 

 or two to procure the other likewise, I was somewhat 

 14 169 



