OF SELBORNE. 



123 



or fern-chafer, commence with the month of July, and cease 

 about the end of it. These scarabs are the constant food 

 of CaprimuJgi, 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 



REDBREAST. 



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 an erected crest and atti- 

 tudes of rivalry and defiance ; are shy and wild in breeding 

 time, avoiding neighbourhoods, and haunting lonely lanes 

 and commons ; nay, even the very tops of the Sussex 

 Downs, where there are bushes and covert ; but in July and 



