238 EEMINISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



of March, and leaves us in September ; and about tbat 

 time they are seen in great numbers on the coast, where 

 probably they remain a short time before they take their 

 departure. The females arrive about a fortnight before 

 the males, and keep coming till the third week in May. 

 They resort to new-tilled grounds, and follow the plough 

 in search of insects, which are their principal food ; 

 though in rainy summers they feed much on small 

 earthworms, and are said to be fattest in such seasons. 



In some parts of England they are very plentiful and 

 much esteemed. About Eastbourne, in Sussex, they 

 are taken in snares made of horsehair, placed by the 

 shepherds beneath hollows of a long turf cut out for 

 the purpose, and being very timid birds, the appearance 

 of a hawk, or even the motion of a cloud that intercepts 

 the sunbeams, will drive them for shelter into these 

 cavities, where they are entangled in the hair nooses. 

 Grentlemen ride or walk upon the downs, who frequently 

 examine these traps, and used formerly to commute with 

 the shepherds by depositing a penny in the trap, w^hence 

 a wheatear was taken. 



The numbers annually ensnared in that district alone 

 amounted to 1 840 dozens, and the birds formerly sold for 

 sixpence per dozen. JNIr. Pennant says that tlie reason 

 why they are in such plenty about Eastbourne is be- 

 cause a certain fly abounds in the adjacent hills, which 

 feeds on the wild thyme, and of Avhich they are par- 

 ticularly fond. Quantities are eaten by the neighbouring 

 inhabitants ; vast numbers are sent to the London 

 poulterers ; many are potted ; in short, this small de- 

 licious bird may be considered the ortolan of England. 



The size of this bird is nearly that of the common 

 sparrow; the length five inches and a half; the bill 



