OF SELBOBNE, 
95 
The noble owner of the dead moose proposed to make 
a skeleton of her bones. 
Please to let me hear if my female moose corresponds 
with that you saw ; and whether you think still that the 
American moose and European elk are the same creature. 
LETTER XXIX. 
TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE. 
Selborne, May 12, 1770. 
^S^^^^^^ AST month we had such a series of cold 
^6 11^^^ turbulent weather^ such a constant succession 
^^uOT frost, and snow, and hail, and tempest, 
^^^^i* regular migration or appearance of 
the summer birds was much interrupted. 
Some did not show themselves (at least were not heard) till 
weeks after their usual time, as the blackcap and white- 
throat ; and some have not been heard yet, as the grass- 
hopper lark and largest willow wrcn.^ As to the flycatcher, 
I have not seen it : it is indeed one of the latest, but should 
appear about this time : and yet, amidst all this meteoroua 
strife and war of the elements, two swallows discovered 
themselves as long ago as the 11th of April, in frost and 
snow; but they withdrew quickly, and were not visible 
again for many days. House martins, which are always 
more backward than swallows, were not observed till May 
came in. 
Among the monogamous birds several are to be found, 
after pairing-time, single, and of each sex : but whether 
this state of celibacy is matter of choice or necessity, is not 
so easily discoverable. When the house sparrows deprive 
my martins of their nests, as soon as I cause one to be shot, 
the other, be it cock or hen, presently procures a mate, and 
so for several times following. 
The wood wren. Ph. sihilatrix. See note, p. 5G. — Er 
