NATURAL HISTCRY OF SELBORNE. 69 
On the thirteenth of April I went to the sheep-down, where the 
ving-ousels have been observed to make their appearance at spring 
and fall, in their way perhaps to the north or south ; and was much 
pleased to see these birds about the usual spot. We shot a cock 
and a hen; they were plump and in high condition. The hen had 
but very small rudiments of eggs within her, which proves they are 
late breeders ; whereas those species of the thrush kind that remain 
with us the whole year have fledged young before that time. In 
their crops was nothing very distinguishable, but somewhat that 
seemed like blades of vegetables nearly digested. In autumn they 
feed on haws and yew-berries, and in the spring on ivy-berries. I 
COCKCHAFER. 
dressed one of these birds, and found it juicy and well flavoured. 
It is remarkable that they make but a few days’ stay in their spring 
visit, but rest near a fortnight at Michaelmas. These birds, from 
the observations of three springs and two autumns, are most punctual 
in their return; and exhibit a new migration unnoticed by the 
writers, who supposed they never were to be seen in any southern 
countries, 
One of my neighbours lately brought me a new sadicarta, which 
at first I suspected might have proved your willow-lark,* but, on a 
nicer examination, it answered much better to the description of 
that species which you shot at Revesby,f in Lincolnshire. My bird 
Julius Pollux, B. 9, ch. 7, says, 7 8é PNACACVOH, Gov TryVOY EoTLY, qv Kat pndrodavOnv 
KGAOVGLY, NTOL EK TIS aVOATEWS TOV UHrAWY 7 OdY TH avOnceL yvdpevov. ‘ The melolonthe 
isaw inged animal, which they also call melolanthe, either from the bloom of apples, or 
its occurring with this bloom.” 
Stobeus quotes from Herodes (Sermo 76), the boys’ game with the melolonthe, thus 
—7 Tact pnAodAovOns appar’ efaTTwv TOU KETKEOV, MOL TOV yepovTa AwBytrac.—‘‘ Or tieing 
strings of tow to the cockchafers, jeer at the old man for me. 
* For this Sadicavia see next letter. + The seat of Sir Joseph Banks. 
