present, they seem much to corroborate my suspicions; and I hope
Mr. ... may find reason to give his decision in my favour; and then,
I think, we may advance this extraordinary provision of nature as a
new instance of the wisdom of God in the creation.

As yet I have not quite done with my history of the oedicnemus, or
stone curlew; for I shall desire a gentleman in Sussex (near whose
house these birds congregate in vast flocks in the autumn) to
observe nicely when they leave him (if they do leave him), and
when they return again in the spring; I was with this gentleman
lately, and saw several single birds.



Letter XXI
To Thomas Pennant, Esquire

Selborne, Nov. 28, 1768.

Dear Sir,

With regard to the oedicnemus, or stone curlew, I intend to write
very soon to my friend near Chichester, in whose neighbourhood
these birds seem most to abound; and shall urge him to take
particular notice when they begin to congregate, and afterwards to
watch them most narrowly whether they do not withdraw
themselves during the dead of the winter. When I have obtained
information with respect to this circumstance, I shall have finished
my history of the stone curlew; which I hope will prove to your
satisfaction, as it will be, I trust, very near the truth. This