ii2 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 



the whole year round; so that we have reasons to conclude 

 that those migrators that visit us for a short space every 

 autumn do not come from thence. 1 



And here, I think, will be the proper place to mention 

 that those birds were most punctual again in their migra- 

 tion this autumn, appearing, as before, about the 3oth of 

 September : but their flocks were larger than common, and 

 their stay protracted somewhat beyond the usual time. 

 If they came to spend the whole winter with us, as some 

 of their congeners do, and then left us, as they do, in 

 spring, I should not be so much struck with the occurrence, 

 since it would be similar to that of the other winter birds of 

 passage ; but when I see them for a fortnight at Michaelmas, 

 and again for about a week in the middle of April, I am 

 seized with wonder, and long to be informed whence these 

 travellers come, and whither they go, since they seem to 

 use our hills merely as an inn or baiting place. 



Your account of the greater brambling, or snow-fleck, 

 is very amusing ; and strange it is that such a short- winged 

 bird should delight in such perilous voyages over the 

 northern ocean ! Some country people in the winter- 

 time have every now and then told me that they have 

 seen two or three white larks on our downs ; but, on 

 considering the matter, I begin to suspect that these are 

 some stragglers of the birds we are talking of, which some- 

 times perhaps may rove so far to the southward. 



It pleases me to find that white hares are so frequent on 

 the Scottish mountains, and especially as you inform me 

 that it is a distinct species ; for the quadrupeds of Britain 

 are so few, that every new species is a great acquisition. 2 



specimens of "Fieldfares," from Scotland, when sent to the British Museum 

 with their nests and eggs, have invariably proved to be Mistle Thrushes 

 (Turdus viscivorus). [R. B. S.] 



1 The Ring-ousel does not " remain in Scotland the whole year round," and 

 Pennant was mistaken. [R. B. S.] 



2 Professor Bell gives the following note on the above sentence: "The 

 identity of the Scottish or mountain hare with the J^ftts variabilis of Pallas 

 has long been known. It is found in the greater part of Scotland, especially in 

 the mountainous districts, and in the whole of Ireland. In the former, the fur 

 changes colour on the approach of winter, becoming gradually white, excepting. 



