OF SELBORNE 73 



" us all the spring and summer, and at the beginning of autumn 

 "prepare to 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 abounding with 

 " grey 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. 



In the manners of this bird you see there is something very 

 analogous to the bustard, whom it also somewhat resembles in 

 aspect and make, and in the structure of it's feet. 



For a long time I have desired my relation to look out for 

 these birds in Andalusia ; and now he writes me word that, for 

 the first time, he saw one dead in the market on the 3rd of 

 September. 



When the oedicnemus flies it stretches out it's legs straight 

 behind, like an heron. 1 



I am, &c. 



LETTER XXXIV. 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, March 30, 1771. 

 DEAR SIR, 



THERE is an insect with us, especially on chalky districts, 

 which is very troublesome and teasing all the latter end of 

 the summer, getting into people's skins, especially those of 

 women and children, and raising tumours which itch intolerably. 



1 [See Letters XVI., XXL, XXXIII. to Pennant, LIX. to Harrington, and the 

 Observations on Nature.] 



