100 THE NATUKAL HISTORY 



All birds that continue in fall song till after Midsummer appear 

 to me to breed more than once. 



Most kinds of birds seem to me to be wild and shy somewhat 

 in proportion to their bulk ; I mean in this island, where they are 

 much pursued and annoyed : but in Ascension Island, and many 

 other desolate places, mariners have found fowls so unacquainted 

 with an human figure, that they would stand still to be taken ; as 

 is the case with boobies, &c. As an example of what is advanced, 

 I remark that the golden-crested wren (the smallest British bird) 

 will stand unconcerned till you come within three or four yards 

 of it, while the bustard (otis), the largest British land fowl, does 

 not care to admit a person within so many furlongs. 



I am, &c. 



LETTER III. 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, Jan. 15, 1770. 

 Dear Sir, 



It was no small matter of satisfaction to me to find that you were 

 not displeased with my little methodus of birds. If there was any 

 merit in the sketch, it must be owing to it's punctuality. For 

 many months I carried a list in my pocket of the birds that were 

 to be remarked, and, as I rode or walked about my business, I 

 noted each day the continuance or omission of each bird's song ; 

 so that I am as sure of the certainty of my facts as a man can be 

 of any transaction whatsoever. 



I shall now proceed to answer the several queries which you 

 put in your two obliging letters, in the best manner that I am 

 able. Perhaps Eastwick, and it's environs, where you heard so 

 very few birds, is not a woodland country, and therefore not 

 stocked with such songsters. If you will cast your eye on my 

 last letter, you will find that many species continued to warble 

 after the beginning of Julij. 



The titlark and yellowhammer breed late, the latter very late ; 

 and therefore it is no wonder that they protract their song : for 

 I lay it down as a maxim in ornithology, that as long as there is 

 any incubation going on there is music. As to the redbreast and 

 wren, it is well known to the most incurious observer that they 

 whistle the year round, hard frost excepted ; especially the latter. 



