^2 Dr. starkman’s Account' of 
danger awaited my collection in Sweden. A few days 
ago a great part of it has been damaged here by fire, 
which has been particularly fatal to my fluffed birds, 
having deftroyed fome which were not yet defcribed. 
As I am well acquainted with the pleafure which every 
new difcovery in the hiflory of nature gives you, I take 
this early opportunity of exprefling the readinefs with 
which I wifh to contribute to your fatisfa&ion, and have 
fubjoined to this letter an account of a curious bird, a fpecies 
of Cuckow, which I have faved out of the fire. I only beg 
that you will confider it as an earneft of more important 
communications, as foon as the hurry of my affairs will 
permit me to bring my papers into order. In the mean 
time if you fhould think that account, and the annexed 
drawing, worthy the attention of the Royal Society, I 
fhould be greatly flattered if you would do me the ho- 
nour to lay it before that learned Body. 
With the greateft efteem I remain, 8ec, 
THE 
