The Natural History of Se /borne 61 



towards the coast of Sussex in autumn : but that they do not 

 all withdraw I am sure; because I see a few stragglers in 

 many counties, at all times of the year, especially about 

 warrens and stone quarries. 



I have no acquaintance, at present, among the gentlemen 

 of the navy; but have written to a friend, who was a sea- 

 chaplain in the late war, desiring him to look into his minutes, 

 with respect to birds that settled on their rigging during their 

 voyage up or down the channel. What Hasselquist says on 

 that subject is remarkable ; there were little short- winged birds 

 frequently coming on board his ship all the way from our 

 channel quite up to the Levant, especially before squally 

 weather. 



What you suggest, with regard to Spain, is highly probable. 

 The winters of Andalusia are so mild, that, in all likelihood, 

 the soft-billed birds that leave us at that season may find 

 insects sufficient to support them there. 



Some young man, possessed of fortune, health, and leisure, 

 should make an autumnal voyage into that kingdom ; and 

 should spend a year there, investigating the natural history 

 of that vast country. Mr. Willughby * passed through that 

 kingdom on such an errand ; but he seems to have skirted 

 along in a superficial manner and an ill-humour, being much 

 disgusted at the rude, dissolute manners of the people. 



I have no friend left now at Sunbury to apply to about the 

 swallows roosting on the aits of the Thames : nor can I hear 

 any more about those birds which I suspected were Merulce 

 torquatce. 



As to the small mice [harvest-mice], I have farther to re- 

 mark, that though they hang their nests for breeding up 

 amidst the straws of the standing corn, above the ground ; 

 yet I find that, in the winter, they burrow deep in the earth, 

 and make warm beds of grass : but their grand rendezvous 

 seems to be in corn-ricks, into which they are carried at 

 harvest. A neighbour housed an oat-rick lately, under the 



* See " Ray's Travels," p. 466. 



