OF SELBORNE. 29 
Mr. Stiltm^Jleet makes a queftion whether the hhck-cap (motacUla 
atricapilla ^ be a bird of paflage or not : I think there is no doubt 
of it : for, in April, in the firft fine weather, they come trooping, 
all at once, into thefe parts, but are never feen in the winter. 
They are delicate fongfters. 
Numbers of fnipes breed every fummer in fome moory ground 
on the verge of this parifh. It is very amiifing to fee the cock 
bird on wing at that time,, and to hear his piping and humming 
notes. 
I have had no opportunity yet of procuring any of thofe mice 
which I mentioned to you in town. The perfon that brought me 
the lad fays they are plenty in harvefl, at which time I will take 
care to get more ; and will endeavour to put the matter out of 
doubt, whether it be a non-defcript fpecies or not, 
I fufped much there may be two fpecies of water-rats. Ray 
fays, and Linnaus after him, that the water-rat is web-footed behind. 
Now I have difcovered a rat on the banks of our little flream that 
is not web-footed, and yet is an exellent fvvimmer and diver : it 
anfwers exadly to the nius amphlhius of Linnaeus (See Sjjl: Nat.) 
which he fays " nalat in fojjis & ur'inatur." I fhould be glad to 
procure one phntis palmat'is.^^ Linnaus feems to be in a puzzle 
about his nius amph'ibii'.s^ and to doubt whether it differs from his mia 
/«-rey?;7i- ; which if it be, as he allows, the " nius agrejVis caplte grandi 
brachyuros'' of Ray, is widely different from the water-rat, both in 
fize, makcj and manner of life. 
As to the falco, which I mentioned in town, I fhall take the 
liberty to fend it down to you into I'Fales ; prefuming on your 
candour, that you will excufe me if it fhould appear as familiar to 
you as it is flrange to me. Though mutilated " qitalem dices . , . 
" antehac fnije, tales cum fint reliqaia!" 
It 
