OF SELBOBNE. 
549 
This last measured 5 in. and 15 h. Pray^ good Sir, procure 
better ink ; yours is so pale, that it often renders your neat 
hand scarcely legible ! I am now offering my intelligent 
young neighbours sixpence for every authentic anecdote 
that they can bring me respecting Fern-owls ; and will 
give you the same sum for the same information. As I 
was coming over our down after sunset lately, a cock bird 
amused us much by flying round and settling often on the 
turf. As he passed us, he often gave a short squeak, or 
rather whistle. We were near his nest. These, like other 
birds of passage, frequent the same spots. ^ There are 
always three pairs on our hill every year. Did you know 
Sir John Cullum of your part of the world ? He was an 
agreeable, worthy man, and a good antiquary. I was also well 
acquainted with your late good Bishop Horne : he has often 
been at my house. I concur with you most heartily in your 
admiration of the harmony and beauty of the works of 
the creation ! Physico-theology is a noble study, worthy the 
attention of the wisest man ! Pray write. Our Swifts have 
behaved strangely this summer : for the most part there 
were but three round the church, except now and then of a 
fine evening, when there were thirteen. They seem to be 
all gone. House-martins leave Gibraltar by the end of 
July ! I conclude with all due regard. 
Your humble servant 
Gil. White. 
[On the back of this letter is endorsed in the handwriting of Mr. 
Marsham the following description of a " Wall-creeper," which he 
obtained at Stratton, and which will be found referred to in Letters 
Vin. and IX. of the present series. — " Bird six inches from bill end 
to tail tip, and eleven inches from tip of wings. The bill very slender, 
and an inch long (the sign -j- was often employed by Mr. Marsham to 
signify "more than"). Body cinereous. Wings near the body chiefly 
red and fading to near black. The quill feathers have two large spots, 
the outmost white, the lesser yellow, Stratton, Oct. 30, 1792." 
^ That is, the spots which they have frequented in former years. 
This has been ascertained to be true of Nightingales, Swallows, Swifts, 
and some other birds. — Ed. 
