OF SELPORNE. 549 



This last measured 5 in. and 15 h. Pray, good Sir, procure 

 better ink ; yours is so pale, that it often renders your neat 

 hand scarcely legible ! I ani now offering my intelligent 

 young neighbours sixpence for every authentic anecdote 

 that they can bring me respecting Fern-owls; and will 

 give you the same sum for the same information. As I 

 was coming over our down after sunset lately, a cock bird 

 amused us much by flying round and settling often on the 

 turf. As he passed us, he often gave a short squeak, or 

 rather whistle. We were near his nest. These, like other 

 birds of passage, frequent the same spots. 1 There are 

 always three pairs on our hill every year. Did you know 

 Sir John Cullum of your part of the world ? He was an 

 agreeable, worthy man, and a good antiquary. I was also well 

 acquainted with your late good Bishop Home : he has often 

 been at my house. I concur with you most heartily in your 

 admiration of the harmony and beauty of the works of 

 the creation ! Physico-theology is a noble study, worthy the 

 attention of the wisest man ! Pray write. Our Swifts have 

 behaved strangely this summer : for. the most part there 

 were but three round the church, except now and then of a 

 fine evening, when there were thirteen. They seem to be 

 all gone. House-martins leave Gibraltar by the end of 

 July ! I conclude with all due regard. 



Your humble servant 



GIL. WHITE. 



[On the back of this letter is endorsed in the handwriting of Mr. 

 Marsham the following description of a " Wall-creeper," which he 

 obtained at Stratton, and which will be found referred to in Letters 

 VIII. and IX. of the present series. " Bird six inches from bill end 

 to tail tip, and eleven inches from tip of wings. The bill very slender, 

 and -f- an inch long (the sign -j- was often employed by Mr. Marsham to 

 signify "more than"). Body cinereous. Wings near the body chiefly 

 red and fading to near black. The quill feathers have two large spots, 

 the outmost white, the lesser yellow. Stratton, Oct. 30, 1792." 



1 That is, the spots which they have frequented in former years. 

 This has been ascertained to be true of Nightingales, Swallows, Swifts, 

 aud some other birds. ED. 



