ON NATURAL HISTORY. 355 



hence they could not sink and make off. It is, 

 however, a curious subject for enquiry. 



Starlings and Lapwings congregate early, the 

 latter about the first week in October. Birds, in 

 their flights, are joined by others, and thus large 

 flocks are seen together. Their number is, pro- 

 bably, determined by the supply of food required. 



Sometimes while riding in the fields in Autumn, 

 I am covered with those fine spider's threads, 

 which are called gossamer. They descend from a 

 great height in the air, and some of the threads 

 are very long. The Spider must be very buoyant, 

 and have an extraordinary power of ascension. 

 Chaucer, speaking of gossamer as a strange phe- 

 nomenon, says 



As sore some wonder at the cause of thunder, 

 On ebb, and flode, on gossomor, and mist ; 



And on all thing, 'til the cause is wist. 



t 



It is both curious and interesting to watch the 

 flight of Kites and Buzzards, as they sail round in 

 circles, with wings expanded and quite motionless. 

 A friend of mine informed me, that he had fre- 

 quently watched the flight of the Carrion Crow 

 (Vultur aura) both in Africa and the West Indies, 

 where, as in all tropical countries, they abound, 

 and are invaluable. This bird soars at very great 



