6o The Natural History 



imprinted on their minds by their great Creator; and 

 with some degree of mortification, when I reflected that, 

 after all our pains and inquiries, we are yet not quite cer- 

 tain to what regions they do migrate ; and are still farther 

 embarrassed to find that some do not actually migrate at 



all. 



These reflections made so strong an impression on my 

 imagination, that they became productive of a composi- 

 tion that may perhaps amuse you for a quarter of an hour 

 when next I have the honour of writing to you. 



LETTER XXIV 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Seiborne, May 29, 1769. 



Dear Sir, 

 The scarabceus fullo I know very well, having seen it in 

 collections ; but have never been able to discover one 

 wild in its natural state. Mr. Banks told me he thought 

 it might be found on the sea-coast. 



On the thirteenth of April I went to the sheep-down, 

 where the ring-ousels have been observed to make their 

 appearance at spring and fall, in their way perhaps to the 

 north or south ; and was much pleased to see three birds 

 about the usual spot. We shot a cock and a hen ; they 

 were plump and in high condition. The hen had but 

 very small rudiments of eggs within her, which proves 

 they are late breeders ; whereas those species of the 

 thrush kind that remain with us the whole year have 

 fledged young before that time. In their crops was 

 nothing very distinguishable, but somewhat that seemed 

 like blades of vegetables nearly digested. In autumn 

 they feed on haws and yew-berries, and in the spring on 

 ivy-berries. I dressed one of these birds, and found 

 it juicy and well-flavoured. It is remarkable that they 

 make but a few days' stay in their spring visit, but rest 

 near a fortnight at Michaelmas. These birds, from the 

 observations of three springs and two autumns, are most 



