216 NATURAL HISTORY 



then she would that Spring lay more than 

 one. 



I will endeavour to get a hen, and to 

 examine. 



Your supposition that there may be some 

 natural obstruction in singing birds while 

 they are mute, and that when this is re- 

 moved the song recommences, is new and 

 bold; I wish you could discover some good 

 grounds for this suspicion. 

 - I was glad you were pleased with my 

 specimen of the caprimulgus, or fern-owl ; 

 you were, I find, acquainted with the bird 

 before. 



When we meet, I shall be glad to have 

 some conversation with you concerning the 

 proposal you make of my drawing up an 

 account of the animals in this neighbour- 

 hood. Your partiality towards my small 

 abilities persuades you, I fear, that I am 

 able to do more than is in my power : for 

 it is no small undertaking for a man unsup- 

 ported and alone to begin a natural history 

 from his own autopsia ! Though there is 



