140 
not strange. Sir, if you do not take the Ph. Trans, if you please 
i will send you a copy of my Indica u: of Spring, as it may be an 
amusement to you, to see how much later we are in Norfolk than 
you are in Hampshire. 1 am, with great esteem, 
Sir, your most obedient 
humble servant, 
E: Marsham. 
P.S. I have now in a Stack of Blocks a young Cuckow fed by 
a water- Wagtail. 
LETTER II. 
[White to Marsham.] 
Selborne: near Alton: Hants, 
Aug: 13th: 1790. 
Good Sir, 
As an author I have derived much satisfaction 
from your kind, & communicative letter; & am glad to hear 
that my hook has found it’s way into Norfolk, & that it has fallen 
into the hands of so intelligent, & candid a reader as Yourself, 
whose good word may contribute to make it better known in those 
parts. I am glad that You happened to mention your most esti- 
mable friend the late Dr. Steven Hales; because he was also my 
most valuable friend, and in former days near neighbour during 
the summer months. For tho’ his usual abode was at Teddington; 
yet did he for many years reside for about two months at his 
rectory of Faringdon, which is only two miles from hence ; & 
was well known to my Grandfather, & Father, as well as to 
myself. If I might presume to say that what you see respecting 
the copulation of toads is, I think, a mistake, you will pardon my 
boldness : because the amours carryed on in pools & wet ditches 
in the spring time are performed by frogs, which are more black 
& bloated at that season than afterwards. As to toads they 
seem to bo more reserved in their intrigues. 
With regard to the annual encreaso of swallows, & that those 
