OF SELBORNE 111 



sparrow-hawks bred in an old crow's nest on a low beech 

 in the same hanger ; and as their brood, which was 

 numerous, began to grow up, became so daring and 

 ravenous, that they were a terror to all the dames in 

 the village that had chickens or ducklings under their 

 care. A boy climbed the tree, and found the young so 

 fledged that they all escaped from him : but discovered 

 that a good house had been kept : the larder was well- 

 stored with provisions ; for he brought down a young 

 blackbird, jay, and house-martin, all clean picked, and 

 some half devoured. The old birds had been observed 

 to make sad havoc for some days among the new-flown 

 swallows and martins, which, being but 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 XLIV 



Seleohne, Nod. 30, 1780. 

 Dear Sir, 



Every incident that occasions a renewal of our corre- 

 spondence will ever be pleasing and agreeable to me. 



As to the wild wood-pigeon, the oenas, or vinago, of 

 Ray, I am much of your mind ; and see no reason for 

 making it the origin of the common house dove : but 

 suppose those that have advanced that opinion may 

 have been misled by another appellation, often given to 

 the oenas, which is that of stock-dove. 



Unless the stock-dove in the winter varies greatly in 

 manners froni itself in summer, no species seems more 



