106 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 
unacquainted with a human figure, that they would stand still 
to be taken; as is the case with boobies, etc. As an example 
of what is advanced, I remark that the golden-crested wren 
(the smallest British bird) will stand unconcerned till you come 
within three or four yards of it, while the bustard, the largest 
British land fowl, does not care to admit a person within so 
many furlongs. . 
LETTER III. 
SELBORNE, Jaz. 15th, 1770. 
It was no small matter of satisfaction to me to find that you 
were not displeased with my little me‘hodus of birds. If there 
was any merit in the sketch, it must be owing to its punctuality. 
For many months I carried a list in my pocket of the birds 
that were to be remarked, and, as I rode or walked about my 
business, I noted each day the continuance or omission of each 
bird’s song; so that I am as sure of the certainty of my facts 
as a man can be of any transaction whatever. 
I shall now proceed to answer the several queries which you 
put in your two obliging letters, in the best manner that I am 
able. Perhaps Eastwick, and its environs, where you heard so 
very few birds, is not a woodland country, and therefore not 
stocked with-such songsters. If you will cast your eye on my 
last letter, you will find that many species continued to warble 
after the beginning of July. 
The titlark and yellow-hammer breed late, the latter very 
late; and therefore it is no wonder that they protract their 
song: for I lay it down as a maxim in ornithology, that as long 
as there is any incubation going on there is music. As to the 
redbreast and wren, it is well known to the most incurious 
observer that they whistle the year round, hard frost excepted ; 
especially the latter. 
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