114 



NATURAL HISTORY 



forsaken us sooner this year than usual; for on September the 

 22nd they rendezvoused in a neighbour's walnut tree, where 

 it seemed probable they had taken up their lodging for the 

 night. At the dawn of the day, which was foggy, they 

 rose all together in infinite numbers, occasioning such a 

 rushing from the strokes of their wings against the hazy 

 air, as might be heard to a considerable distance : since that 

 no flock has appeared, only a few stragglers. 



THE FERN-OWL. 



Some swifts stayed late, till the 22nd of August a rare 

 instance ! for they usually withdraw within the first week. 1 



On September the 24th three or four ring-ousels appeared 

 in my fields for the first time this season : how punctual are 

 these visitors in their autumnal and spring migrations ! 



1 See Letter LII. to Mr. Harrington. G. W. 



