76 THE NATURAL HISTORY [LETT. 



LETTER XXIV. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 



THE Scardbceus fullo I know very well, having seen it in collec- 

 tions ; 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 

 ring-ousels 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 whole year have fledged 

 young before that time. In their crops was nothing very distin- 

 guishable, 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 only stay a few days in their spring visit, but rest nearly 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 writers, 

 who supposed they never were to be seen in any of the southern 

 counties. 



One of my neighbours lately brought me a new Salicaria, 

 which at first I suspected might have proved your willow-lark ; * 

 but, on a nicer examination, it answered much better to the 



i For this Salicaria, or sedge-warbler, see Letter XXVI. August 30, 1769. 



