The natural history of Selborne, arranged for young persons [by G. Ellis].1833 |
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Page 26
... flocks of ducks , teals , and widgeons , of various denominations ; where they preen , and solace and rest themselves , till towards sunset , when they issue forth in little parties ( for in their natural state they are all birds of the ...
... flocks of ducks , teals , and widgeons , of various denominations ; where they preen , and solace and rest themselves , till towards sunset , when they issue forth in little parties ( for in their natural state they are all birds of the ...
Page 40
... flocks of them , feeding on haws , appeared in this kingdom , in the winter of 1685 . The mention of haws puts me in mind that there is a total failure of that wild fruit , so conducive to the support of many of the winged nation , For ...
... flocks of them , feeding on haws , appeared in this kingdom , in the winter of 1685 . The mention of haws puts me in mind that there is a total failure of that wild fruit , so conducive to the support of many of the winged nation , For ...
Page 43
... flocks of CHAFFINCHES have appeared in the fields - many more , I used to think , than could be hatched in any one neigh- bourhood . But , when I came to observe them more narrowly , I was amazed to find that they seemed to me to be ...
... flocks of CHAFFINCHES have appeared in the fields - many more , I used to think , than could be hatched in any one neigh- bourhood . But , when I came to observe them more narrowly , I was amazed to find that they seemed to me to be ...
Page 44
... flocks of these finches with them in the winter , and of which sort they mostly consist ? For , from such intelligence , one might be able to judge whether our female flocks migrate from the other end of the island , or whether they ...
... flocks of these finches with them in the winter , and of which sort they mostly consist ? For , from such intelligence , one might be able to judge whether our female flocks migrate from the other end of the island , or whether they ...
Page 51
... flocks of hen chaffinches have not yet for- saken us . The blackbirds and thrushes are very much thinned down by that fierce weather in January . In the middle of February I discovered , in my tall hedges , a little bird that raised my ...
... flocks of hen chaffinches have not yet for- saken us . The blackbirds and thrushes are very much thinned down by that fierce weather in January . In the middle of February I discovered , in my tall hedges , a little bird that raised my ...
Other editions - View all
The Natural History of Selborne, Arranged for Young Persons [By G. Ellis] Gilbert White No preview available - 2016 |
The Natural History of Selborne, Arranged for Young Persons [By G. Ellis] Gilbert White No preview available - 2015 |
Common terms and phrases
abound Alauda Andalusia animals appear April autumn bird of passage birds of prey blackcap brood build called chaffinches colour Comb Wood congeners cuckoo curious DEAR SIR district eggs feed feet fern-owl fieldfares fields flies flocks frequently frost garden grass Greatham ground Hanger hatched haunt hedges hirundines hirundo house-martins hundred inches insects late legs LETTER Linnæus manner martins Michaelmas migration morning Motacilla natural history neighbouring nest never night numbers observed owls parish perhaps ponds prey procure quadrupeds RAII rain redwings remarkable remiges retire ring-dove ringousels rooks roost season seems seen Selborne shot sing snow soon sort species spring stone stone curlew strange summer birds suppose Sussex swallow swifts tail thrushes tion titmouse trees vast village weather wild wings winter Wolmer Forest wonder woodcocks Woodlark woods young Zoology
Popular passages
Page 71 - For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Page 26 - Now scarcely moving through a reedy pool, Now starting to a sudden stream, and now Gently diffus'd into a limpid plain ; A various group the herds and flocks compose, Rural confusion ! on the grassy bank Some ruminating lie ; while others stand Half in the flood, and often bending, sip The circling surface.
Page 130 - Virgil, as a familiar occurrence, by way of simile, describes a dove haunting the cavern of a rock in such engaging numbers, that I cannot refrain from quoting the passage : and John Dryden has rendered it so happily in our language, that without...
Page 9 - The saw was applied to the but, the wedges were inserted into the opening, the woods echoed to the heavy blows of the beetle, or mallet, the tree nodded to its fall ; but still the dam sat on. At last, when it gave way, the bird was flung from her nest ; and, though...
Page 166 - Nothing can be more assiduous than this creature night and day in scooping the earth and forcing its great body into the cavity ; but as the noons of that season proved unusually warm and sunny, it was continually interrupted, and called forth by the heat in the middle of the day ; and though I continued there till the 13th of November, yet the work remained unfinished.
Page 40 - ... with the aperture so ingeniously closed, that there was no discovering to what part it belonged. It was so compact and well filled, that it would roll across the table without being discomposed, though it contained eight little mice that were naked and blind.
Page 264 - Swinging slow with sullen roar; Or if the air will not permit, Some still removed place will fit, Where glowing embers through the room Teach light to counterfeit a gloom, Far from all resort of mirth, Save the cricket on the hearth, Or the bellman's drowsy charm To bless the doors from nightly harm.
Page 312 - July 20, inclusive, during which period the wind varied to every quarter, without making any alteration in the air. The sun, at noon, looked as blank as a clouded moon, and shed a rust-coloured ferruginous light on the ground and floors of rooms ; but was particularly lurid and bloodcoloured at rising and setting. All the time the heat was so intense that butchers...
Page 157 - Part loosely wing the region, part more wise In common, ranged in figure wedge their way, Intelligent of seasons, and set forth Their airy caravan high over seas Flying, and over lands with mutual wing Easing their flight...
Page 80 - Amusive birds ! - say where your hid retreat When the frost rages and the tempests beat; Whence your return, by such nice instinct led, When spring, soft season, lifts her bloomy head? Such baffled searches mock man's prying pride, The God of Nature is your secret guide!