OF SELBORNE. 279 



SO from time immemorial : and smile at 

 your simplicity if you ask them whether 

 the situation of these two different breeds 

 might not be reversed. (However, an intel- 

 ligent friend of mine near Chichester is de- 

 termined to try the experiment ; and has 

 this Autumn, at the hazard of being laughed 

 at, introduced a parcel of black-faced horn- 

 less rams among his horned western ewes.) 

 The black-faced poll sheep have the short- 

 est legs and the finest wool. 



As I had hardly ever before travelled 

 these downs at so late a season of the year, 

 I was determined to keep as sharp a look- 

 out as possible so near the southern coast, 

 with respect to the Summer short-winged 

 birds of passage. We make great inquiries 

 concerning the withdrawing of the swallow 

 kind without examuiing enough into the 

 causes why this tribe is never to be seen in 

 Winter; for, entre nous, the disappearing of 

 the latter is more marvellous than that of 

 the former, and much more unaccountable. 

 The hirundines, if they please, are certainly 

 capable of migration ; and yet, no doubt. 



