72 
NATURAL HISTORY 
advance this extraordinary provision of nature as a new in- 
stance of the wisdom of God in the creation. 
As yet I have not quite done with my history of the 
CEdicnemus, 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 
sin2:le birds. 
CD 
LETTER XXL 
TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE. 
Selborne, Nov. 28, 17^8. 
ITH regard to the Q^dicnemns, 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 afterward to watch 
them most narrowly whether they do not withdraw them- 
selves 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. ^ This gentleman, as he occupies a 
large farm of his own, and is abroad early and late, will be a 
very proper spy upon the motions of these birds : and besides, 
as I have prevailed on him to buy the ^^Naturalist's Journal,'^ 
(with which he is much delighted,) I shall expect that h3 
will be very exact in his dates. It is very extraordinary, 
^ This bird is again alluded to in Letter XXXIII. to Pennant. — Ed. 
' The "Naturalist's Journal." Printed for W. Sandby, Fleet Street, 
Loudon; 17G7. Price one shilling and sixpence. — Ejd. 
