OF SELBORNE. 81 



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 rudi- 

 ments of eggs within her, which proves they are late 

 breeders, whereas those species of the thrush kind that re- 

 main 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 



MELOLONTHA FULLO. 



birds, and found it juicy and well-flavoured. It is remark- 

 able, 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 punctual in their return ; and exhibit a new migra- 

 tion unnoticed by tho writers who supposed they never 

 were to be seen in any of the southern counties. 



One of my neighbours lately brought me a new Salicciria, 

 which, at first, I suspected might have proved your willow 

 lark, 1 but on a nicer examination, it answered much better 



ous, have occurred on the coast of Kent. Dover seems to be the middle 

 point of their range, from which they extend westward as far as Hythe, 

 and northward to Sandwich. Mr. Stephens has recorded the capture, by 

 a lady, of no less than eight specimens in one year, in the neighbourhood 

 of Sandwich ; a number probably nearly equal to all the others that are 

 known to have been at any time taken in this country. ED. 



1 For this Salicaria, see Letter, August 30, 1769. O. AV. 



The birds to which White previously applied the generic term Salicaria 

 were the willow wrens, as already pointed out in note 1, p. 54, and 

 Pennant's willow lark, as shown in note 3, p. 69, was the wood wren, Ph. 



G 



