XXI.] 
65 
provision of nature as a new instance of the wisdom of God in 
the creation. 
As yet I have not quite done with my history of the oedicne- 
mus, or stone-curlew ; for I shall desire a gentleman in Sussex 
(near whose house these birds congregate in vast flocks in the 
autumn) to observe nicely when they leave him (if they do leave 
him), and when they return again in the spring : I was with this 
gentleman lately, and saw several single birds. 
Selbohne, Oct. 8, 1768. 
LETTER XXI. 
TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 
With regard to the oedicneiiius, or stone-curlew, I intend to 
write very soon to my friend near Chichester, in whose neighbour- 
hood these birds seem most to abound ; and shall urge him to take 
particular notice when they begin to congregate, and afterwards 
to watch them most narrowly, whether they do not withdraw 
themselves during the dead of the winter. When I have ob- 
tained information with respect to this circumstance, I shall 
have finished my history of the stone-curlew ; which I hope will 
prove to your satisfaction, as it will be, I trust, very near the 
truth. 
It is very extraordinary, as you observe, that a bird so common 
with us should never straggle to you. 
After a lapse of twenty years, Mr. White adds : [On the 27th 
of February, 1788, stone-curlews were heard to pipe; and on 
March 1st, after it was dark, some were passing over the village, 
as might be perceived from their quick short note, which they 
use in their nocturnal excursions by way of watchword, that 
they may not stray and lose their companions. 
Thus, we see, that retire whithersoever they may in the winter, 
they return again early in the spring, and are, as it now appears, 
the first summer birds that come back. Perhaps the mildness 
