dles of a pair
of garden-shears, that were stuck up against the boards in an out-house,
and therefore must have her nest spoiled whenever that implement was
wanted: and, what is stranger still, another bird of the same species
built its nest on the wings and body of an owl, that happened by accident
to hang dead and dry from the rafter of a barn. This owl, with the nest
on its wings, and with eggs in the nest, was brought as a curiosity
worthy the most elegant private museum in Great Britain. The owner,
struck with the oddity of the sight, furnished the bringer with a large
shell, or conch, desiring him to fix it just where the owl hung: the
person did as he was ordered, and the following year a pair, probably the
same pair, built their nest in the conch, and laid their eggs.

The owl and the conch make a strange grotesque appearance, and are not
the least curious specimens in that wonderful collection of art and
nature.

Thus is instinct in animals, taken the least out of its way, an
undistinguishing, limited faculty; and blind to every circumstance that
does not immediately respect self-preservation, or lead at once to the
propagation or support of their species.

I am, with all respect, etc., etc.

LETTER XIX.

SELBORNE, _Feb._ 14_th_, 1774.

Dear Sir,--I received your favour of the 8th, and am pleased to find that
you read my little history of the swallow with your usual candour; nor
was I the less pleased to find that you made objections where you saw
reason.

As to the quotations, it is difficult to say precisely which species of
hirundo Virgil might intend in the lines in question, since the ancients
did not attend to specific differences like modern naturalists; yet
somewhat may be gathered, enough to incline me to suppose that in the two
passages quoted the poet had his eye on the swallow.

In the first place the epithet _garrula_ suits the swallow well, who is a
great songster, and not the martin, which is rather a mute bird; and when
it sings is so inward as scarce to be heard. Besides, if _tignum_ in
that place signifies a rafter rather than a beam, as it seems to me to
do, then I think it must be the swallow that is alluded to, and not the
martin, since the former does frequently build within the roof against
the rafters, while the latter always, as far as I have been able to
observe, builds without the roof against eaves and cornices.

As to the simile, too much stress must not be laid