206 NATURAL HISTORY 



they are much pursued and annoyed : but 

 in Ascension Island, and many other deso- 

 late 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, &c. 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 f Otis), thelargest British land fowl, 

 does not care to admit a person within so 

 many furlongs. I am, &c. 



LETTEK III. 



TO THE SAINIE. 



DEAR SIH; Sklbokne. Jan. l.'J, 1770. 



Ir was no smnll matter of satisfaction to 

 me to find that you were not displeased 

 with my little niefhodus of birds. If there 

 was any merit in the sketch, it must be 



