78 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



a time. There is reason to think their young run soon 

 after they are hatched ; and that the old ones do not feed 

 them, but only lead them about at the time of feeding, 

 which, for the most part, is in the night." Thus far my 

 friend. 



In the manners of this bird you see there is something very 

 analogous to the bustard, whom it also somewhat resembles 

 in aspect and make, and in the structure of its feet. 



For a long time I have desired my relation to look out 

 for these birds in Andalusia ; and now he writes me word 

 that, for the first time, he saw one dead in the market on 

 the 3rd of September. 



When the oedicnemus flies it stretches out its legs straight 

 behind, like an heron. 



I am, etc. 



LETTER XXXIV 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Selborne, March 30, 1771. 



Dear Sir, 

 There is an insect with us, especially on chalky districts, 

 which is very troublesome and teasing all the latter end of 

 the summer, getting into people's skins, especially those of 

 women and children, and raising tumours which itch 

 intolerably. This animal (which we call an harvest bug) is 

 very minute, scarce discernible to the naked eye; of a 

 bright scarlet colour, and of the genus of Acarus. They 

 are to be met with in gardens on kidneybeans, or any 

 legumens ; but prevail only in the hot months of summer. 

 Warreners, as some have assured me, are much infested by 

 them on chalky downs ; where these insects swarm some- 

 times to so infinite a degree as to discolour their nets, and 

 to give them a reddish cast, while the men are so bitten as 

 to be thrown into fevers. 



