138 NATURAL HISTORY 



LETTER XXIX. 



TO THE SAME. 



DEAR SIR; Selborne, May 12, 1770« 



Last month we had such a series of cold 

 turbulent weather, such a constant succes- 

 sion of frost, and snow, and hail, and tem- 

 pest, that the regular migration or appear- 

 ance of the Summer birds was much inter- 

 rupted. Some did not show themselves (at 

 least were not heard) till weeks after their 

 usual time ; as the black-cap and white- 

 throat ; and some have not been heard yet, 

 as the grasshopper-lark and largest willow- 

 wren. As to the Jlt/'Catcher, I have not seen 

 it ; it is indeed one of the latest, but should 

 appear about this time : and yet, amidst all 

 this meteorous strife and war of the ele- 

 ments, two swallows discovered themselves 

 as long ago as the eleventh of April, in 

 frost and snow ; but they withdrew quickly, 

 and were not visible again for many days. 



