OF SELBORNE. 89 



" sheep-walks and downs. They breed on fallows and lay-fields 

 " abounding with grey mossy flints, which much resemble their 

 " young in colour ; among which they skulk and conceal them- 

 " selves. They make no nest, but lay their eggs on the bare 

 " ground, producing in common but two at 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 it's 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 it's legs straight 

 behind, like an heron. 



I am, &c. 



LETTER XXXIV. 



TO THE SAME. 



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 sum- 

 mer, 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 in- 

 sects swarm sometimes to so infinite a degree as to discolour 



