OF SELBORNE. 257 



As I had hardly ever before travelled these downs at 

 so late a season of the year, I was determined to keep 

 as sharp a look out as possible so near the southern 

 coast, with respect to the summer short-winged birds 

 of passage. We make great inquiries concerning the 

 withdrawing of the swallow kind, without examining 

 enough into the causes why this tribe is never to be 

 seen in winter ; for, entre nous, the disappearing of the 

 latter is more marvellous than that of the* -former, and 

 much more unaccountable. The Hirundines, if they 

 please, are certainly capable of migration ; and yet, no 

 doubt, are often found in a torpid state : but redstarts, 

 nightingales, whitethroats, blackcaps, &c. &c. are very 

 ill provided for long flights; have never been once 

 found, as I ever heard of, in a torpid state ; and yet can 

 never be supposed, in such troops, from year to year to 

 dodge and elude the eyes of the curious and inquisitive, 

 which from day to day discern the other small birds 

 that are known to abide our winters. But, notwith- 

 standing all my care, I saw nothing like a summer 

 bird of passage: and, what is more strange, not one 

 wheatear, though they abound so in the autumn as to 

 be a considerable perquisite to the shepherds that take 

 them; and though many are to be seen to my know- 

 ledge all the winter through in many parts of the south 

 of England. The most intelligent shepherds tell me 

 that some few of these birds appear on the downs in 

 March, and then withdraw to breed, probably, in war- 

 rens and stone-quarries : now and then a nest is 

 ploughed up in a fallow on the downs under a furrow, 

 but it is thought a rarity. At the time of wheat harvest, 

 they begin to be taken in great numbers ; are sent for 



but every where throughout England ; so strongly have they been recom- 

 mended to general favour by their short legs and their fine wool. The 

 Dorsets, as they are called, the horned sheep with smooth white faces and 

 white legs, now occur much more rarely than the rival breed. Yet the 

 observation in the text is curious, as indicating .the rapid advance that 

 has taken place, in little more than half a century, in the knowledge and 

 power of the agriculturist. E. T. B. 



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