both in Hampshire and Devonshire. Is this cir- 

 cumstance for or against either hiding or migration ? 



Most birds drink sipping at intervals, but pigeons 

 take a long continued draught, like quadrupeds. 



Notwithstanding what 1 have said in a former 

 letter, no grey crows were ever known to breed on 

 Dartmoor: it was my mistake. 



The appearance and flying of the Scarabceus solsti- 

 tialis, or fern chafer, commence with the month of 

 July, and cease about the end of it. These scarabs 

 are the constant food of caprimulgi, or fern-owls, 

 through that period. They abound on the chalky 

 downs, and in some sandy districts, but not in the 

 clays. 



In the garden of the Black-Bear Inn in the town 

 of Reading is a stream or canal running under the 

 stables and out into the fields on the other side of 

 the road : in this water are many carps, which lie 

 rolling about in sight, being fed by travellers, who 

 amuse themselves by tossing them bread ; but as 

 soon as the weather grows at all severe these fishes 

 are no longer seen, because they retire under the 

 stables, where they remain till the return of spring. 

 Do they lie in a torpid state? If they do not, how 

 are they supported ? 



The note of the whitethroat, which is continually 



repeated, and often attended with odd gesticulations 



on the wing, is harsh and displeasing. These birds 



seem of a pugnacious disposition ; for they sing with 



19 25 



