The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne

"The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne", or just "The Natural History of Selborne" was a book by pioneering English naturalist and ornithologist Gilbert White first published in 1789. It has been continuously in print since then, with nearly 300 editions up to Thames & Hudson's "The Illustrated Natural History of Selborne" in 2007.cite web|title= The Illustrated Natural History of Selborne |work= |url= http://www.thameshudson.com/en/1/9780500284780.mxs?7aede63cc91090dcd78be0b3c1f44f59&0&0&0 |publisher=Thames & Hudson |accessdate=2007-12-02 2004 edition, reprinted in 2007]

This book was a compilation of 44 of his letters to Thomas Pennant, the leading British zoologist of the day, and 66 letters to the Hon. Daines Barrington, an English barrister and another Fellow of the Royal Society. In these letters, White detailed the natural history of the area around his family home at the vicarage of Selborne in Hampshire.cite book | last = White | first = Gilbert |title = The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne | year = 1887 |origyear=1789 |location=London | publisher =Cassell & Company| oclc=3423785 |page=pp. 38-39 |url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20933/20933-h/20933-h.htm] White was a careful observer, and described what he discovered, rather than relying on folklore and superstition. He realized that there were not one, but three British species of "willow-wren" (leaf-warblers), which are now known as the Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Wood Warbler. He also discovered the Common Noctule, Harvest Mouse and Lesser Whitethroat, and studied the habits of the Stone Curlew, Nightjar, Swallow, House Martin and Common Swift.

One of his few errors paradoxically arises from his meticulous observation. Because Swallows and House Martins were seen so late in the year, often into November, he was convinced that at least some must hibernate through the winter rather than migrate.White's work means that he is regarded by many as an early ecologist. [Hazell, D.L., Heinsohn, R.G. and Lindenmayer, D.B. 2005. Ecology. Pp. 97-112 in R.Q. Grafton, L. Robin and R.J. Wasson (eds.), "Understanding the Environment: Bridging the Disciplinary Divides". Sydney, NSW: University of New South Wales Press, (p. 99).] His book’s attraction derives not only from its scientific value, but from its style and atmosphere; as British ornithologist James Fisher wrote: [ James Fisher in the preface to the 1941 Penguin Books edition]

His world is round and simple and complete; the British country; the perfect escape.

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