Dear Sir,

op This day my box with the whole of my curiosities sets out by the waggon on it’s way to London; from whence it will be forwarded by my Bro^r:¹ to Chester. You will be so kind as to examine the contents, & to order y^r artist to draw such as are worthy of y^r notice; & to favour me with your opinion concerning the most rare, & particularly the fishes, which need not be returned.

op The reason that my Bro^r:²the head & the feet of the vultur was, because he never had any other part. The bird was found dead & floating in the sea; an accident it seems not very uncommon: some fishermen picked it up & flayed it; eat the carcase, & threw away the skin, & gave him the head & feet. But as the Governor has got a live Bird of this sort, my Bro^r will take care to describe that minutely).

op Please to be particular about the partridges. My last cargo of birds returned very safe from y^r house. I thank you for the portugal apiaster, which differs somewhat from the Andalusian.

op ⁱ It is no small discovery, I think, to find that our small short-winged summer birds of passage are to be seen spring & autumn on the very skirts of Europe: it is a very strong presumptive proof of their migration.

op Your proof-sheet meets with my approbation. I always was of opinion that the stile should be in some measure adapted to the length of the composition, or the subject, in all cases: & therefore long flowing sentences can’t be suitable to short descriptions in a work that proƒesses to be a synopsis.

op If you should think it proper to have the Hirundo melba taken, would it not be proper_^^right to have it drawn on it’s back: because the colour of the belly is, size excepted the chief thing that disting_^^huises it from the Hir: apus. It is a swift to all intents & purposes.

op You pay us a great compliment when you say that our account of Gibraltar will in a manner comprehend the animals of South Europe. It is a work, I must acknowledge, that I could wish to see reduced to some degree of correctness: & therefore am much gratifyed whenever you tender us y^r best support. I have beenin a pother lately about writing to that place, fearing least this misunderstanding between the two nations may interrupt the correspondence by the post; & suspecting my last letter never reached my Bro^r:³ Mr Barrington seems to think that the intercourse is still subsisting.

op I have looked over Mr: Forster’s catalogue of British insects, & have some what to advance on that subject: but tie will not permit one at present, as I am pretty much hurryed.

op We have had vast rains for these few weeks past, & some great storms; especially one on the 20^th of Dec^r: in the morning: now severe frost.

op Hoping y^r troublesome cold has left you, & desiring you to accept of the good wishes of the season.

I conclude with great esteem Yr obliged, & humble servant,

Gil: White

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Editorial notes

1. It is not clear which of the two London-based brothers this is
2. Here he means John White
3. John White