Gilbert White to Thomas Pennant

Dear Sir,

I sent you by the return of the Alton waggon last week such birds of my last cargoes as you had not seen before: some of which, I think, will not displease you; & of others I shall beg your friendly information, not being able to ascertain them, especially the larks, & the motacillæ. You will, I hope, also give me your opinion of the last cargo: & especially of the white-rumped bird, & the duck; the former of which, I trust, is a Turdussee document 27, & a rare bird, & perhaps a nondescript; & as to the letter I should be pleased to know whether it be the red-breasted shoveler of the Brit:Zool: or not.

My present cargo is as follows:

Phænicopterus ruber Mas:

Larus fidipes after Willughbæi: N: VI?in Ornithologiae

Lanius collurio, pullus?

Larius collurio, woodchat from Tetuan:

Sturnus niger from Tetuan; a nova species?

Oriolus galbula:

Oriulus - - - - young or variety:

Alauda cristata:

Alauda No 1. 2 specimens: bills long & slender; breasts

- - tinged with yellow:

Alauda No: 2. 2 spec: bills short, & taper; back claw small

- - - & short; tails short, & dusky; outside features tinged with yellow:

Alaud? bill slender; back claw short, & rather incurved; breast a

- - - little spotted; tail long & dusky; outfeathers white: is it the same

- - - with No 1?

Motacilla No o1: What? large: back & wings ash-coloured; head

- - - dusky; throat, breast, belly white: tail lost: an motacilla

- - - dumetorum Linn; Kram: aust: 377: n: 19 </bibl>? <rs ref="cr0263">Motacilla</rs> N<hi rend="superscript">o</hi> 2. what? small: head, back dusky-reddish; wings - - - dusky; outer webs chestnut-coloured; throat white, breast - - - tinged with red: feet & legs palish: <rs ref="cr0263">Motacilla</rs> N<hi rend="superscript">o</hi>3: 2 spec: minute: head, back, wings, black feathers - - edged with chestnut, resembling the paƒser torquatus; throat whit<del>e</del> - - - breast, belly, sides tawny; caudâ unicolore; elegant little birds? In all these difficulties your obliging disposition will promp<del>t</del> you to assist me; & you will besides, I hope, refer so to numerical marks as to prevent mistakes, or misapprehension. It is very remarkable that of all the <rs ref="ce0175">larks</rs> my Bro<note type="editorial"> <persName ref="pe2540">John White</persName> </note>: has procured, he has never ye<del>t</del> met with a British species. Has <persName ref="pe2576">Brisson</persName> any <rs ref="cr0275">larks</rs> unknown to <persName ref="pe2330">Ray</persName>Ray. You will find, I think, in the box two or three distinct, & unusual species. My Bro<note type="editorial"> <persName ref="pe2569">Thomas Holt-White</persName> </note>: in <placeName ref="pl3671">Thames-street</placeName> has sent you the last bottles of fishes. Enclosed with the birds are some rough draug<del/> of some fishes taken by my Bro<note type="editorial"> <persName ref="pe2540">John White</persName> </note>: at <placeName ref="pl1010">Gibraltar</placeName>; who tho’ he knows nothing of the rules of drawing, yet, he trusts, such rude sketches will inform an Icthyologist better than mere words. As I have a few shells & fossils, I should take it as a favour if you would (when you return the box) add a few ores, & fossils to my collection, such as y<hi rend="superscript">r</hi> mines & neighbourhood afford: a few will be sufficient. Pray when in the spring do you intend to be in <placeName ref="pl0699">town</placeName>? Still I hope to be able to meet you there some time or other. I am much hurried at present, & must stop here: But propos<del>e</del> to write again not long hence. With the Compliments of the season I remain with great esteem Prey when does <persName ref="pe0008">Mr Banks</persName> sail? <closer> <salute>Your obliged, & Humble Servant,</salute> <signed> <persName ref="pe2526">Gil: White</persName> </signed> </closer> </div> <div> <address> <addrLine/> </address> </div> </body> </text> </TEI>