%2 2 Cummings, A biographical sketch of Col. George Montagu. 



sedge-bird besides of the "British Zoology". I should esteem it a particular 

 favour if you have it in your power, if you will favour me with the weight 

 and descriptions of the two uncommon willow wrens. I was induced to take 

 this liberty as you say you are a field naturalist and perhaps may have it in 

 your power to assist me in my present pursuit. I am collecting and pre- 

 serving the birds and eggs of these parts, a provincial undertaking on which 

 I am got forward; and as those of Hampshire and Wiltshire are nearly con- 

 genial (the coast excepted) some species, I presume are more frequently met 

 with about you than with us. Will you excuse my mentioning a few that 

 should they fall in your way you will confer a considerable obligation on me 

 by favouring me with them. The hawks and the owls are difficult to get. 

 Of the former I want all except the sparrow, kestrel and common buzzard; 

 of the latter all the eared and the little owl. The great butcher bird and 

 wood chat, goatsucker, crossbill, aberdevene, siskin and spotted gallinule with 

 many cloven and webfooted water birds together with any of their eggs; and 

 as you mention snipes and teals having bred near you their eggs would be 

 highly acceptable with others not common which you may be able to obtain. 

 And in return, sir, if there is anything in my former or future researches 

 that can afford you any satisfaction I shall with the greatest pleasure com- 

 municate. That amiable and excellent naturalist, Mr. Pennant, has done me 

 the honour to say I have discovered some things to him he was not before 

 acquainted with; and I flatter myself I have other notes in store when I have 

 time to write to him more largely on the subject. 



This you know is the busy season for the naturalist and the days are 

 not half long enough for me. A fine morning called me from this and on 

 my walk my ears discovered a note I had never before heard. I pursued it 

 into the thick of a wood and with much difficulty killed the bird as it was 

 delivering its song (if I may so call it) from the branch of an oak tree. It 

 proved to be a willow wren; its note was very different from any I had 

 ever heard before, somewhat resembling the note of the blue titmouse; it was 

 continued without variety like the grasshopper or lark but not quite so quick 

 or shrill nor of so long duration; between each song the pause was conside- 

 rable. The note I confess has staggered me, but its appearance, song, etc. 

 discovered nothing new. The common wren I well know, has very distinct 

 songs. The first after their arrival, before they are paired I considered as 

 their love call the other their soft courting or amatory song. As to the shades 

 of colour and size this species varies considerably : that ot the male is much 

 brighter and stronger than the female and it is considerably larger and even 

 in the same sex there is a visible difference. I last year killed a male and 

 female together when the former was in pursuit of the latter on her first 

 arrival in the spring. (As I suppose you know all our male migrating birds 

 precede the female in their vernal visit.) In these the great disparity in 

 weight and difference of colour would have puzzled exceedingly had I not 

 some time before the barbarous act was committed paid attention to the 

 addresses of the male. I confess I am not acquainted with the one you de- 

 scribe with the primaries and secondaries tip't with white and if you are still 

 of opinion that it is a distinct species I should be obliged to you for it. If 

 you should favour me with any small bird at this season it will be advisable 



-^ i6 — 



