OF SELBORNE 171 



probably the same pair, built their nest in the conch, and 

 laid their eggs. 



The owl and the conch make a strange grotesque ap- 

 pearance, and are not the least curious specimens in that 

 wonderful collection of art and nature.* 



Thus is instinct in animals, taken the least out of its 

 way, an undistinguishing, limited faculty ; and blind to 

 every circumstance that does not immediately respect 

 self-preservation, or lead at once to the propagation 

 or support of their species. 



I am. 

 With all respect, etc, etc. 



LETTER XIX 



Selborne Feb. 14, 1774. 



Dear Sir, 



I received your favour of the eighth, and am pleased 

 to find that you read my little history of the swallow with 

 your usual candour : nor was I less pleased to find that 

 you made objections where you saw reason. 



As to the quotations, it is difficult to say precisely 

 which species of hirundo Virgil might intend in the lines 

 in question, since the ancients did not attend to specific 

 differences like modern naturalists : yet somewhat may 

 be gathered, enough to incline me to suppose that in 

 the two passages quoted the poet had his eye on the 

 swallow. 



In the first place the epithet garnila suits the swallow 

 well, who is a great songster ; but not the martin, which 

 is rather a mute bird ; and when it sings is so inward as 



* Sir Ashton Lever's Museum. 



