NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 79 



These reflections made so strong an impression on my imagi- 

 nation, that they became productive of a composition that may 

 perhaps amuse you for a quarter of an hour when next I have 

 the honour of writing to you. 



LETTER XXIV. 



SELBORNE, May 29^, 1769. 



DEAR SIR, The scarabczus fullo I know very well, having seen 

 it in collections ; but have never been able to discover one wild 

 in its natural state. Mr. Banks told me he thought it might be 

 found on the seacoast. 1 



On the i3th April I went to the sheep-down, where the ring- 

 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 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 Michael- 

 mas. 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 salicaria, which 

 at first I suspected might have proved your willow-lark, but on 

 ?. nicer examination, it answered much better to the description 



