RINGOUSELS. 89 



LETTER XXIV, 



TO THE SAME. 



SELBORNE, May 29. 1769. 

 DEAR SIR, 



THE scarab&us 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 sea- 

 coast. 



On the 13th of April, I went to the sheep-down, 

 where the ringousels 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 three 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 w r hole 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 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 wri- 

 ters, who supposed they never were to be seen in 

 any of the southern counties. 



One of my neighbours lately brought me a new 



