ling sensation ; while our own breed little regards 

 them. 



The curious Reaumur discovered the large eggs, 

 or rather ptipce, of these flies as big as the flies them- 

 selves, which he hatched in his own bosom. Any 

 person that will take the trouble to examine the old 

 nests of either species of swallows may find in them 

 the black shining cases or skins of the piipce of these 

 'insects: but for other particulars, too long for this 

 place, we refer the reader to ''L'Histoire d'Insects" 

 of that admirable entomologist — tom. iv. pi. ii. 



Selborne, July 8, 1773. 



LETTER LIV. 

 To Thomas Pennant, Esq. 



As you desire me to send you such observations 

 as may occur, I take the liberty of making the fol- 

 lowing remarks, that you may, according as you 

 think me right or wrong, admit or reject what I 

 here advance, in your intended new edition of the 

 British Zoologv." 



The osprey was shot about a year ago at Frin- 



sham pond, a great lake, about six miles from hence, 



while it was sitting on the handle of a plough and 



devouring a fish : it used to precipitate itself into 



the water, and so take its prey by surprise. 



189 



