136 WHITE 



summer short-winged birds of passage. We make great in- 

 quiries concerning the withdrawing of the swallow kind, with- 

 out examining enough into the causes why this tribe is never 

 to be seen in winter ; for, entre nous, the disappearing of the 

 latter is more marvellous than that of the former, and much 

 more unaccountable. The hirundines, if they please, are cer- 

 tainly capable of migration, and yet no doubt are often found 

 in a torpid state; but redstarts, nightingales, whitethroats, 

 blackcaps, etc., etc., are very ill provided for long flights; 

 have never been once found, as I ever heard of, in a torpid 

 state, and yet can never be supposed, in such troops, from 

 year to year to dodge and elude the eyes of the curious and 

 inquisitive, which from day to day discern the other small 

 birds that are known to abide our winters. But, notwithstand- 

 ing all my care, I saw nothing like a summer bird of passage ; 

 and what is more strange not one wheat-ear, though they abound 

 so in the autumn as to be a considerable perquisite to the shep- 

 herds that take them ; and though many are to be seen to my 

 knowledge all the winter through in many parts of the south 

 of England. The most intelligent shepherds tell me that some 

 few of these birds appear on the downs in March, and then 

 withdraw to breed probably in warrens and stone-quarries : 

 now and then a nest is ploughed up in a fallow on the downs 

 under a furrow, but it is thought a rarity. At the time of 

 wheat-harvest they begin to be taken in great numbers ; are 

 sent for sale in vast quantities to Brighthelm stone and Tun- 

 bridge ; and appear at the tables of all the gentry that enter- 

 tain with any degree of elegance. About Michaelmas they 

 retire and are seen no more till March. Though these birds 

 are, when in season, in great plenty on the South Downs round 

 Lewes, yet at East Bourn, which is the eastern extremity of 

 those downs, they abound much more. One thing is very 

 remarkable, that though in the height of the season so many 

 hundreds of dozens are taken, yet they never are seen to 

 flock ; and it is a rare thing to see more than three or four at 

 a time ; so that there must be a perpetual flitting and constant 

 progressive succession. It does not appear that any wheat- 

 ears are taken to the westward of Houghton Bridge, which 

 stands on the river Arun. 



