OF SELBORNE 31 



such multitudes are taken, I never saw (and I am well acquainted 

 with those parts) above two or three at a time : for they are never 

 gregarious. They may perhaps migrate in general ; and, for 

 that purpose, draw towards the coast of Sussex in autumn : but 

 that they do not all withdraw I am sure ; because I see a few 

 stragglers in many counties, at all times of the year, especially 

 about warrens and stone quarries. 1 



I have no acquaintance, at present, among the gentlemen of 

 the navy : but have written to a friend, who was a sea-chaplain 

 in the late war, desiring him to look into his minutes, with respect 

 to birds that settled on their rigging during their voyage up or 

 down the channel. What Hasselquist says on that subject is re- 

 markable : there were little short-winged birds frequently coming 

 on board his ship all the way from our channel quite up to the 

 Levant, especially before squally weather. 



What you suggest, with regard to Spain, is highly probable. 

 The winters of Andalusia are so mild, that, in all likelihood, the 

 soft-billed birds that leave us at that season may find insects 

 sufficient to support them there. 



Some young man, possessed of fortune, health, and leisure, 

 should make an autumnal voyage into that kingdom ; and should 

 spend a year there, investigating the natural history of that vast 

 country. Mr. Willughby 2 passed through that kingdom on such 

 an errand ; but he seems to have skirted along in a superficial 

 manner and an ill humour, being much disgusted at the rude 

 dissolute manners of the people. 



I have no friend left now at Sunbury to apply to about the 

 swallows roosting on the aits of the Thames : nor can I hear any 

 more about those birds which I suspected were merulce torquatce. 



As to the small mice, I have farther to remark, that though 

 they hang their nests for breeding up amidst the straws of the 

 standing corn, above the ground ; yet I find that, in the winter, 

 they burrow deep in the earth, and make warm beds of grass : 

 but their grand rendezvous seems to be in corn-ricks, into which 

 they are carried at harvest. A neighbour housed an oat-rick 

 lately, under the thatch of which were assembled near an hundred, 

 most of which were taken ; and some I saw. I measured them ; 



1 [Though the wheatear is rarely seen in winter, there seems to be no doubt that 

 White was not here in error. See Yarrell's British Birds (ed. Newton), vol. i., p. 

 350. Further particulars respecting the wheatear are given in Letter XVII. to 

 Harrington.] 



2 See Ra^s Travels, p. 466. 



