108 NATURAL HISTORY 



where we drink tea, one of these churn- 

 owls came and settled on the cross of that 

 little straw edifice and began to chatter, 

 and continued his note for many minutes ; 

 and we were all struck with wonder to find 

 that the organs of that little animal, when 

 put in motion, gave a sensible vibration to 

 the whole building ! This bird also some- 

 times makes a small squeak, repeated four 

 or five times ; and I have observed that to 

 happen when the cock has been pursuing 

 the hen in a toying manner through the 

 boughs of a tree. 



It would not be at all strange if your 

 bat, which you have procured, should 

 prove a new one, since five species have 

 been found in a neighbouring kingdom. 

 The great sort that I mentioned is certainly 

 a non-descript : I saw but one this Sum- 

 mer, and that I had no opportunity of 

 taking. 



Your account of the Indian-grass was 

 entertaining. I am no angler myself; but 

 inquiring of those that are, what they sup- 

 posed that part of their tackle to be made 



