XXXVIII.] 



OF SELBORNE. 



113 



I was greatly pleased to see little parties of ring-ousels (my 

 newly-discovered migrators) scattered, at intervals, all iilong tlie 

 Sussex downs from Chichester to Lewes. Let them come from 

 whence they will, it looks very suspicious that they are cantoned 

 along the coast, in order to pass the Channel when severe weather 

 advances. They visit us again in April, as it should seem, in 

 their return ; and are not to be found in the dead of winter. It 

 is remarkable that they are very tame, and seem to have no 

 manner of apprehensions of danger from a person with a gun. 



There are bustards on the wide downs near Brighthelmstone. 

 No doubt you are acquainted with the Sussex downs : the pros- 

 pects and rides round Lewes are most lovely ! 



As I rode along near the coast I kept a very sharp look-out 

 in the lanes and woods, hoping I might, at this time of the 



CROWBILLS K;<;. 



year, have discovered some of the summer short- winged birds of 

 passage crowding towards the coast in order for their departure ; 

 but it was very extraordinary that I never saw a redstart, 

 whitethroat, blackcap, uncrested wren, flycatcher, &c. And I 

 remember to have made the same remark in former years, as I 

 usually come to this place annually about this time. The birds 

 most common along the coast at present are the stone-chatters, 

 whinchats, buntings, linnets, some few wheatears, titlarks, &c. 

 Swallows and house-martins abound yet, induced to prolong 

 their stay by this soft, still, dry season. 



A land tortoise, which has been kept for thirty years in a little 

 walled court belonging to the house where I now am visiting, 

 retires under ground about the middle of November, and comes 

 forth again about the middle of April. When it first appears in 

 the spring it discovers very little inclination towards food : but 

 in the height of summer grows voracious : and then as the 

 summer declines its appetite declines also ; so that for the l as t 

 VOL. I. g 



