200 MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS. 



stitialis, or fern-chafer, commence with the month of 

 July, and cease about the end of it. These scarabs 

 are the constant food of caprimulgi, or fern-owls, 

 through that period. They abound on the chalky 

 downs, and in some sandy districts, but not in the 

 clays. 



In the garden of the Black Bear Inn, in the town 

 of Reading, is a stream or canal, running under the 

 stables, and out into the fields on the other side of 

 the road : in this water are many carps, which lie 

 rolling about in sight, being fed by travellers, who 

 amuse themselves by tossing them bread; but as 

 soon as the weather grows at all severe, these fishes 

 are no longer seen, because they retire under the 

 stables, where they remain till the return of spring. 

 Do they lie in a torpid state ? if they do not, how are 

 they supported ? 



The note of the white-throat, which is continually 

 repeated, and often attended with odd gesticulations 

 on the wing, is harsh and displeasing. These birds 

 seem of pugnacious disposition ; for they sing with an 

 erected crest, and attitudes of rivalry and defiance ; 

 are shy and wild in breeding time, avoiding neigh- 

 bourhoods, and haunting lonely lanes and commons ; 

 nay, even the very tops of the Sussex Downs, where 

 there are bushes and covert ; but in July and August, 

 they bring their broods into gardens and orchards, 

 and make great havoc among the summer fruits. 



The black-cap has, in common, a full, sweet, deep, 

 loud, and wild pipe ; yet that strain is of short con- 

 tinuance, and his motions are desultory ; but, when 

 that bird sits calmly and engages in song in earnest, 

 he pours forth very sweet, but inward melody, and 

 expresses great variety of soft and gentle modulations, 

 superior, perhaps, to those of any of our warblers, the 

 nightingale excepted. 



Black-caps mostly haunt orchards and gardens : 



