OF SELBORNE 119 



Faunists, as you observe, are too apt to acquiesce in bare 

 descriptions, and a few sjmonyms : the reason is plain; because 

 all that may be done at home in a man's study, but the investi- 

 gation of the life and conversation of animals, is a concern of 

 much more trouble and difficulty, and is not to be attained but 

 by the active and inquisitive, and by those that reside much in 

 the country. 



Foreign systematics are, I observe, much too vague in their 

 specific differences ; which are almost universally constituted by 

 one or two particular marks, the rest of the description running 

 in general terms. But our countryman, the excellent Mr. Rai/, 

 is the only describer that conveys some precise idea in every 

 term or word, maintaining his superiority over his followers and 

 imitators in spite of the advantage of fresh discoveries and 

 modem information. 



At this distance of years it is not in my power to recollect at 

 what periods woodcocks used to be sluggish or alert when I was 

 a sportsman : but, upon my mentioning this circumstance to a 

 friend, he thinks he has observed them to be remarkably listless 

 against snowy foul weather : if this should be the case, then the 

 inaptitude for flying arises only from an eagerness for food ; as 

 sheep are observed to be very intent on grazing against stormy 

 wet evenings. 



I am, &c. &c. 



LETTER XL 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, Feb. 8, 1772 . 

 Dear Sir, 



When I ride about in the winter, and see such prodigious flocks 

 of various kinds of birds, I cannot help admiring at these con- 

 gregations, and wishing that it was in my power to account for 

 those appearances almost peculiar to the season.^ The two 



'[The natui-al tendency of most birds is to associate together except in the 

 breeding season, when they separate in pairs for the propagation of the species. 

 There are, however, exceptions to both parts of this general statement. Some 

 birds, and especially those which pair for life, e.g., the hawks and eagles, rarely 

 flock, except for migration. Others, as rooks, herons, gulls, even dreed in company. 

 White's remarks are acute and sensible ; but the subject still calls both for observa- 

 tion and explanation. Probably the advantages to be gained by flocking may be 

 best illustrated by observing the habits of the starling, whichjs.seen in flocks nearly 



