120 NATURAL HISTORY 



one wild in its natural state. Mr. Banks told me he 

 thought it might be found on the seacoast 2 . 



On the 13th 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 per- 

 haps to the north or south ; and was much pleased to 

 see three 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 some- 

 what that seemed like blades of vegetables nearly 

 digested. In autumn they feed on haws and yew-ber- 

 ries, and in the spring on ivy-berries. I dressed one 

 of these birds, and found it juicy and well flavoured. 

 It is remarkable, that they make but a few days stay in 

 their spring visit, but rest near a fortnight at Michael- 

 mas. These birds, from the observations of three springs 

 and two autumns, are most punctual in their return; 

 and exhibit a new migration unnoticed by the writers 

 who supposed they never were to be seen in any of 

 the southern counties. 



One of my neighbours lately brought me a new Sali- 

 caria, which, at first, I suspected might have proved 

 your willow lark 3 , but on a nicer examination, it 

 answered much better to the description of that species 

 which you shot at Revesby, in Lincolnshire 4 . My bird 



a All the specimens of this noble chafer that have yet been captured 

 in England, and they are very far from numerous, have occurred on the 

 coast of Kent. Dover seems to be the middle point of their range, from 

 which they extend westward as far as Hythe, and northward to Sand- 

 wich. Mr. Stephens has recorded the capture, by a lady, of no less than 

 eight specimens in one year, in the neighbourhood of Sandwich; a num- 

 ber probably nearly equal to all the others that are known to have been 

 at any time taken in this country. E. T. B. 



3 For this Salicaria see Letter, August 30, 1769. [XXV.] 



4 The seat of Sir Joseph Banks, at which Pennant remained on a visit 

 in May, 1767. E. T. B. 



