Dear Sir,

A journey to London, & an other since, from whence I am but just returned, have prevented my paying that attention to your last latter, that I could have wished.

If you knew how little I had to communicate to you with respect to specimens from Gibraltar ‘til I went last to town, you would not think I had neglected you: for ‘til that time I had only received two musicapæ¹, & three insects. One of the birds proves, I find, to be Edwards’s grey redstart²; the other, which has a white forehead, a tawny occiput³ & scapulars, black wings, a white rump, & black & white tail, black throat & cheeks a tawny breast, & whitish belly _ _ _ _ I cannot at present ascertain.

The three insects were a panorpa coa; rare, & peculiar in it’s hind wings! a large fine vespa, the crabronid congener in Italia capta RaŸ : vid: Hist: Insect: p:250: & a large ichneumon.

When I came to town I found a box containing several birds; the most curious of which are

Merops apiaster, Stays all the summer.

Loxia coccothraust: - - Autumn & winter.

Motacilla staparzina, Comes in Autumn

Puffin,

Razor-bill,

Lanius excubitor, Common in Spain.

Charadrius calidris, Winter & summer.

Hirundo hyberna, Seen only in winter.

Scolopax glottis Common in winter.

Tetras coturnici Smaller than the quail, & called similis, pedibus frail, or ferraile. tridactylis,

Edwards’s grey Frequents the same solitary parks

redstart as the redstart.

Thehirundo hyberna (for so I have named it) will prove, I trust, a curiosity: for I cannot find it among Brisson’s 17 species⁴; nor among the 12 species of the Syst:Nat: It has the aspect of an hirundo riparia; but seems (for I have had no opportunity of comparing it yet with our bank-martin) to be much larger, & to have a reader cast on the throat, breast & belly. Every feather of the tail, except the two midmost & the two outmost, has a remarkable white spot about midway.

If the quail should prove to be a tridactyl species, & not a variety, it will be curious. My Bror⁵: speaks of them as common; & mentions the name by which sportsmen distinguish them. For my part I think my specimen is in colour much like a common hen-quail. Brisson mentions quails in Madagascar that have no back toe; But the cocks at least of his sort have a black throat, which mine has not.

The most curious Insects in my bottles were

Scorpio Europæus⁶, Cancer arctus,

a large cicade, Several curious caneri

Blatta Americana, not ascertained.

Some caterpillars, Cancer Diogenes.

Some scarabæi

Scolopendra coleoptrata Some of the fishes were

Mantis religiosa, Syngnathus acus,

Spiders, - - - hippocampus

Asilus barabrus! Salmo eperlanus

Onisci, Mullus barbatus,

Several Labri, Several spari,

Arnoglossus, solea lavis RaŸ , Perca marina, &c.

Coryphæna psittacus, Sepia sepiloa.

But I refer you to Mr: Barrington with respect to the fishes, who, with a person he is to procure & my_^^bror. in Thames-street⁷, is to look them over more narrowly at his chambers. The specimens of fishes are in general too small; in order that they might be crouded into little room. In the autumn I expect an other box with many more specimens.

My acknowledgements are due for y^r list of South European animals, which I have not sent, not doubting but that it will be of service; & also for the wing of the chatterer. On y^r recommendation I have desired my Brother⁸ to get Brunnick, & Gouan on fishes.

Returning you many thanks for y^r offer of assistances in our researches into the natural knowledge of Andalusia, which I am conscious will be very useful and necessary,

P:S. Please to ascertain my second muscipapa⁹. When I have the pleasure of meeting you I shall be glad to communicatemy papers. Since I wrote the above I have been this evening in the forest, & have procured two bank-martins, which are every way different from my Hirundo hyberna.

I conclude your obliged, & Humble Servant,

Gil: White

¹⁰

ⁱ¹¹

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Editorial notes

1. Muscicapidae. The fly-catchers and wheatears.
2. This is from Edwards' book A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, page 29
3. back of head
4. in Brissons 'Ornithologie'
5. John White
6. There are multiple European scorpions, but no information as to which this might be
7. This is Gilberts brother Thomas Holt-White
8. This is Gilberts brother John White
9. Muscicapidae. The fly-catchers and wheatears.
10. Salute and signature are in Gilbert Whites hand
11. This note in Thomas Pennant's hand