OF SELBORNE. 9o 



The noble owner of the dead moose proposed to make 

 a skeleton of her bones. 



Please to let me hear if my female moose corresponds 

 with that you saw ; and whether you think still that the 

 American moose and European elk are the same creature. 



LETTER XXIX. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE. 



SELBORNE, May 12, 1770. 



AST month we had such a series of cold 

 turbulent weather, such a constant succession 

 of frost, and snow, and hail, and tempest, 

 that the regular migration or appearance of 

 the summer birds was much interrupted. 

 Some did not show themselves (at least were not heard) till 

 weeks after their usual time, as the blackcap and white- 

 throat ; and some have not been heard yet, as the grass- 

 hopper lark and largest willow wren. 1 As to the flycatcher, 

 I have not seen it : it is indeed one of the latest, but should 

 appear about this time: and yet, amidst all this meteorous 

 strife and war of the elements, two swallows discovered 

 themselves as long ago as the llth of April, in frost and 

 snow ; but they withdrew quickly, and were not visible 

 again for many days. House martins, which are always 

 more backward than swallows, were not observed till May 

 came in. 



Among the monogamous birds several are to be found, 

 after pairing-time, single, and of each sex : but whether 

 this state of celibacy is matter of choice or necessity, is not 

 so easily discoverable. When the house sparrows deprive 

 my martins of their nests, as soon as I cause one to be shot, 

 the other, be it cock or hen, presently procures a mate, and 

 so for several times following. 



1 The wood wren, Ph. sibilatrix. See note, p. 5G. ED. 



