OF SELBOENE. 



131 



all clean picked,, and some half devoured. The old birds 

 had been observed to make sad havock for some days among 

 the new-flown swallows and martins, which, being but 



SPARROW-HAWK. 



lately out of their nests, had not acquired those powers and 

 command of wing that enable them, when more mature, to 

 set such enemies at defiance. 



LETTER XLIY. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE. 



SELBORNE, Nov. 30, 1780. 



VERY incident that occasions a renewal of 

 our correspondence will ever be pleasing and 

 agreeable to me. 



As to the wild wood-pigeon, the CEnas or 

 Vinago of Ray, 1 I am much of your mind, and 

 see no reason for making it the origin of the common house- 



Columba cenas, LINN. 



