88 
NATURAL HISTORY 
their stay protracted somewhat beyond the usual time. If 
they came to spend the whole winter with us, as some of 
their congeners do, and then left us, as they do, in spring, 
I should not be so much struck with the occurrence, since 
it would be similar to that of the other winter birds of pas- 
sage; but when I see them for a fortnight at Michael- 
mas, and again for about a week in the middle 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-fleck, is 
very amusing ; and strange it is, that such a short- winged 
bird should delight in such perilous voyages over the 
northern ocean ! 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, I 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 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. 
1 In the "Handbook of British Birds" (1872), pp. 94, 95, will be 
found enumerated at least a dozen instances of its occurrence in 
diflferent parts of the British islands. — Vt^. 
^ See p. 82, note 2, and p. 86, note \, — E». 
