of Selborne 37 



Mr. Stillingfleet, in his Tracts, says that "if the wheatear 

 {cenanihe) does not quit England, it certainly shifts places ; 

 for about harvest they are not to be found, where there 

 was before great plenty of them." This well accounts for 

 the vast quantities that are caught about that time on 

 the south downs near Lewes, where they are esteemed 

 a delicacy. There have been shepherds, I have been 

 credibly informed, that have made many pounds in a 

 season by catching them in traps. And though 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. 



I have no acquaintance, at present, among the gentle- 

 men 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 remarkable : 

 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 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 king- 

 dom ; and should spend a year there, investigating the 

 natural history of that vast country. Mr. Willughby ^ 

 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 

 1 See Ray's Travels, p. 466. 



