OF SELBORNE 265 



it feeds on the ground, like the hedge-sparrow, by hopping 

 about on the grass-plots and mown walks. 



One of my neighbours, an intelligent and observing 

 man, informs me that, in the beginning of May, and 

 about .ten minutes before eight o'clock in the evening, he 

 discovered a great cluster of house-swallows, thirty at 

 least he supposes, perching on a willow that hung over 

 the verge of James Knight's upper-pond. His attention 

 was first drawn by the twittering of these birds, which sat 

 motionless in a row on the bough, with their heads all 

 one way, and, by their weight, pressing down the twig so 

 that it nearly touched the water. In this situation he 

 watched them till he could see no longer. Repeated 

 accounts of this sort, spring and fall, induce us greatly to 

 suspect that house-swallows have some strong attachment 

 to water, independent of the matter of food ; and though 

 they may not retire into that element, yet they may con- 

 ceal themselves in the banks of pools and rivers during 

 the uncomfortable months of winter. 



One of the keepers of Wolmer-f orest sent me a peregrine 

 falcon, which he shot on the verge of that district as it was 

 devouring a wood-pigeon. The falco peregrinus, or 

 haggard falcon, is a noble species of hawk seldom seen in 

 the southern counties. In winter 1767 one was killed in 

 the neighbouring parish of Faringdon, and sent by me to 

 Mr. Pennant into North Wales.* Since that time I have 

 met with none till now. The specimen mentioned above 

 "was in fine preservation, and not injured by the shot : it 

 measured forty-two inches from wing to wing, and twenty- 

 one from beak to tail, and weighed two pounds and an 

 balf standing weight. This species is very robust, and 

 wonderfully formed for rapine : its breast was plump and 

 muscular ; its thighs long, thick, and brawny ; and its 



* See my tenth and eleventh letter to that gentleman. 

 55—1* 



