120 



THE NATURAL HISTORY 



LETTER n 



Selborne, Nov. 2, 1769. 

 Dear Sir, 



When I did myself the honour to write to you about the 

 end of last June on the subject of natural history, I sent 

 3'ou a list of the summer birds of passage which I have 

 observed in this neighbourhood ; and also a list of the 

 winter birds of passage ; I mentioned besides those soft- 

 billed birds that stay with us the winter through in the 

 south of England, and those that are remarkable for 

 singing in the night. 



According to my proposal, I shall now proceed to such 

 birds (singing-birds strictly so called) as continue in full 

 song till after Midsummer ; and shall range them some- 

 what in the order in which they first begin to open as the 

 spring advances. 



1. Woodlark, 



2. Song thrush, 



3. Wren, 



4. Red-breast, 



5. Hedge- 



sparrow, 

 C. Yellowham- 

 mer, 



7. Skylark, 



8. Swallow, 



9. Black-cap, 



10. Titlark, 



RATI NOMINA. 



Alauda orborea . 



Turdus simpliciler 

 dictus : 



Passer troglodytes : 



Rubecula : 

 Curruca : 



Emberiza flava : 



Alauda vulgaris : 



Hirundo domcstica : 

 Atricapilla : 



Alauda pralorum : 



In January, and continues 



to sing through all the 



summer and autumn. 

 In February and on to 



August, reassumc their 



song in autumn. 

 All the year, hard frost 



excepted. 

 Ditto. 

 Early in February to Julv 



the 10th. 

 Early in February, and on 



through July to August 



the 21st. 

 In February, and on to 



October. 

 From April to September. 

 Beginning of April to Julv 



13th. 

 From middle of April to 



July the IGth. 



