164 
NATURAL HISTOHY OP SELBOENE. 
familiar, since it would be as difficult to be explained as the most 
stupendous phenomenon in nature. 
** Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow * 
Congeal'd; the crocus' flamy bud to glow? 
Say, what retards, amidst the summer's blaze, 
Th' autumnal bulb, till pale, declining days ? 
The God of Seasoks ; whose pervading power 
Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower : 
He bids each flower his quickening word obey. 
Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay." 
LETTEE XEIL 
TO THE SAME. 
'* Omnibus animalibus reliquis certus et uniusmodi, et in suo cuique goner© 
incessus est : aves solse vario meatu feruntur, et in terr^, et in aere." 
Selborne, Aug. *7th, 1778. 
Deae Sir, — A good ornithologist should be able to distinguish birds 
by their air as well as by their colours and shape ; on the ground as 
well as on the wing ; and in the bush as well as in the hand. For, 
though it must not be said that every species of birds has a manner 
peculiar to itself, yet there is somewhat in most genera at least, that at 
first sight discriminates them, and enables a judicious observer to 
pronounce upon them with some certainty. Put a bird in motion 
" Et vera incessu patuit 
Thus kites and buzzards sail round in circles with wings expanded 
and motionless; and it is frcm their gliding manner that the former 
are still called in 
the north of England 
gleads,fromthe Saxon 
verb glidan, to glide. 
The kestrel, or wind- 
hover, has a peculiar 
mode of hanging in 
the air in one place, 
his wings all the while ; 
being briskly agi- 
tated. Hen-harriers 
fly low over heaths or 
fields of corn, and beat 
the ground regularly 
like a pointer or set- \ 
ting-dog. Owls move 
in a buoyant manner, 
as if lighter than the 
air ; they seem to 
want ballast. There 
is a peculiarity belonging to ravens that must draw the attention 
RAVEN. 
