bled in an
hermitage on the side of a steep hill where we drink tea, one of these
churn-owls came and settled on the cross of that little straw edifice and
began to chatter, and continued his note for many minutes: and we were
all struck with wonder to find that the organs of that little animal,
when put in motion, gave a sensible vibration to the whole building!
This bird also sometimes makes a small squeak, repeated four or five
times; and I have observed that to happen when the cock has been pursuing
the hen in a toying way through the boughs of a tree.

It would not be at all strange if your bat, which you have procured,
should prove a new one, since five species have been found in a
neighbouring kingdom. The great sort that I mentioned is certainly a
nondescript; I saw but one this summer, and that I had no opportunity of
taking.

Your account of the Indian grass was entertaining. I am no angler
myself; but inquiring of those that are, what they supposed that part of
their tackle to be made of?--they replied, "Of the intestines of a
silkworm."

Though I must not pretend to great skill in entomology, yet I cannot say
that I am ignorant of that kind of knowledge; I may now and then perhaps
be able to furnish you with a little information.

The vast rains ceased with us much about the same time as with you, and
since we have had delicate weather. Mr. Barker, who has measured the
rain for more than thirty years, says, in a late letter, that more has
fallen this year than in any he ever attended to; though from July, 1763,
to January, 1764, more fell than in any seven months of this year.

LETTER XXIII.

SELBORNE, _Feb. 28th_, 1769.

Dear Sir,--It is not improbable that the Guernsey lizard and our green
lizards may be specifically the same; all that I know is, that, when some
years ago many Guernsey lizards were turned loose in Pembroke College
garden, in the University of Oxford, they lived a great while, and seemed
to enjoy themselves very well, but never bred. Whether this circumstance
will prove anything either way I shall not pretend to say.

I return you thanks for your account of Cressi Hall; but recollect, not
without regret, that in June, 1746, I was visiting for a week together at
Spalding, without ever being told that such a curiosity was just at hand.
Pray send me word in your next what sort of tree it is that contains such
a quantity of herons