OF SELBORNE. l69 



ther said an humming), I suspect we mean 

 the same thing. However, while they are 

 playing about on the wing they certainly 

 make a loud piping with their mouths : 

 but whether that bleating or humming is 

 ventriloquous, or proceeds from the mo- 

 tion of their wings, 1 cannot say ; but this 

 I know, that when this noise happens the 

 bird is always descending, and his wings 

 are violently agitated. 



Soon after the lapwings* have done 

 breeding, they congregate, and, leaving the 

 moors and marshes, betake themselves to 

 downs and sheep-walks. 



Two years agof last Spring the little auk 

 was found alive and unhurt, but fluttering 

 and unable to rise, in a lane a few miles 

 from Alresfordy where there is a great lake : 

 it was kept awhile, but died. 



I saw young tealsj taken alive in the 

 ponds of Wolmer-forest in the beginning of 

 July last, along with flappers, or young 

 wild-ducks. 



* British Zoology, vol. ii. p. 360. t P. 409- 

 t P- 475. 



