BIRDS OF PASSAGE. 183 



keep as sharp a look-out as possible so near the 

 southern coast, with respect to the summer short- 

 winged birds of passage. We make great inquiries 

 concerning the withdrawing of the swallow kind, 

 without examining enough into the causes why this 

 tribe is never to be seen in winter ; for, entre nous> 

 the disappearing of the latter is more marvellous than 

 that of the former, and much more unaccountable. 

 The hirundines, if they please, are certainly capable of 

 migration ; and yet, no doubt, are often found in a 

 torpid state : but redstarts, nightingales, white- 

 throats, black-caps, &c. &c. are very ill provided for 

 long flights ; have never been once found, as I ever 

 heard of, in a torpid state, and yet can never be sup- 

 posed, in such troops, from year to year, to dodge 

 and elude the eyes of the curious and inquisitive, 

 which, from day to day, discern the other small birds 

 that are known to abide our winters. But, notwith- 

 standing all my care, I saw nothing like a summer 

 bird of passage ; and, what is more strange, not one 

 wheatear, though they abound so in the autumn as to 

 be a considerable perquisite to the shepherds that 

 take them ; and though many are to be seen to my 

 knowledge all the winter through, in many parts of 

 the south of England. The most intelligent shep- 

 herds tell me, that some few of these birds appear on 

 the downs in March, and then withdraw to breed, 

 probably, in warrens and stone quarries : now and 

 then a nest is ploughed up in a fallow on the downs, 

 under a furrow ; but it is thought a rarity. At the 

 time of wheat-harvest, they begin to be taken in great 

 numbers ; are sent for sale in vast quantities to 

 Brighthelmstone and Tunbridge ; and appear at the 

 tables of all the gentry that entertain with any degree 

 of elegance. About Michaelmas they retire, and are 

 seen no more till March. Though these birds are, 

 when in season, in great plenty on the South Downs 



