XXVIll.] 
OF SELBORNE. 
91 
fortniglit at Michaelmas, and again for about a week in the begin- 
ning of April, I am seized with wonder, and long to be informed 
whence these travellers come, and whither they go, since they 
seem to use our hills merely as an inn or baiting-place. 
Your account of the greater brambling, or snow-flock, is very 
amusing ; and strange it is that such a short-winged bird should 
delight in such perilous voyages over the northern ocean I Some 
country people in the winter time have every now and then 
told me that they have seen two or three white larks on our 
downs ; but, on considering the matter, 1 begin to suspect that 
these are some stragglers of the birds we are talking of, which 
sometimes perhaps may rove so far to the southward. 
It pleases me to find that white hares are so frequent on 
the Scottish mountains, and especially as you inform me that it 
reed-sparrow's egg. 
is a distinct species, for the quadrupeds of Britain are so few, 
that every new species is a great acquisition. 
The eagle-owl, could it be proved to belong to us, is so 
majestic a bird that it would grace our fauna much. I never 
was informed before where wild geese are known to breed. 
You admit, I find, that I have proved your fen-salicaria to be 
the lesser reed-sparrow of Eay : and I think you may be secure 
that I am right ; for I took very particular pains to clear up 
that matter, and had some fair specimens ; but, as they were 
not well preserved, they are decayed already. You will, no 
doubt, insert it in its proper place in your next edition. Your 
additional plates will much improve your work. 
De Buffon, I know, has described the water shrew-mouse ; but 
still I am pleased to find you have discovered it in Lincolnshire, 
for the reason I have given in the article of the white hare. 
As a neighbour was lately ])loughing in a dry chalky field, far 
removed from any A\'ater, ho turned out a water-rat, that was 
