LETTER XXIV. 



To the same. 



SELBORNE, May zgth, 1769. 



EAR SIR, The scarabceus fullo I know very 

 well, having seen it in collections ; 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 thirteenth 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 these 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 distinguishable, 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 



