OF SELBORNE. 



145 



take leave by getting together in flocks. They seem to 

 me a bird of passage that may travel into some dry 

 hilly country south of us, probably Spain, because of 

 the abundance of sheep-walks in that country ; for they 

 spend their summers with us in such districts. This 

 conjecture I hazard, as I have never met with any one 

 that has seen them in England in the winter. I believe 

 they are not fond of going near the water, but feed on 

 earth-worms, that are common on sheep-walks and 

 downs. They breed on fallows and lay-fields abound- 

 ing with gray mossy flints, which much resemble their 

 young in colour ; among which they skulk and conceal 

 themselves. They make no nest, but lay their eggs on 

 the bare ground, producing in common but two at a time. 

 There is reason to think their young run soon after 

 they are hatched ; and that the old ones do not feed 

 them, but only lead them about at the time of feeding, 

 which, for the most part, is in the night." Thus far my 

 friend. 







TONR Cl RI,K.\V. 



In the manners of this bird you see there is some- 



L 



