OF SELBORNE. 297 



dines ; and, as far as we have ever seen, the 

 smallest knov^n hirundo : though Brisson 

 asserts that there is one much smaller, and 

 that is the hirundo esculejita. 



But it is much to be regretted that it is 

 scarce possible for any observer to be so full 

 and exact as he could wish in reciting the 

 circumstances attending the life and con- 

 versation of this little bird, since it isfera 

 natura, at least in this part of the kingdom, 

 disclaiming all domestic attachments, and 

 haunting wild heaths and commons where 

 there are large lakes ; while the other 

 species, especially the swallow and house- 

 martin, are remarkably gentle and domes- 

 ticated, and never seem to think themselves 

 safe but under the protection of man. 



Here are in this parish, in the sand-pits 

 and banks of the lakes of Wolmer-forest, 

 several colonies of these birds ; and yet they 

 are never seen in the village ; nor do they 

 at all frequent the cottages that are scat- 

 tered about in that wild district. The only 

 instance I ever remember where this species 

 haunts any building is at the town of Bi- 



