92 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



very analogous to the bustard, whom it also somewhat 

 resembles in aspect and make, and in the structure of its 

 feet. 



For a long time I have desired my relation to look out 

 for these birds in Andalusia ; and now he writes me word 

 that, for the first time, he saw one dead in the market on 

 the 3rd of September. 



When the oedicnemus flies it stretches out its legs 

 straight behind, like an heron. 



I am, etc. 



LETTER XXXIV 



Selborne, March 30, 1771. 

 Dear Sir, 



There is an insect with us, especially on chalky districts, 

 which is very troublesome and teasing all the latter end 

 of the summer, getting into people's skins, especially 

 those of women and children, and raising tumours which 

 itch intolerably. This animal (which we call an harvest- 

 bug) is very minute, scarce discernible to the naked eye ; 

 of a bright scarlet colour, and of the genus of Acarus. 

 They are to be met with in gardens on kidneybeans, or 

 any legumens ; but prevail only in the hot months of 

 summer. Warreners, as some have assured me, are much 

 infested by them on chalky downs ; where these insects 

 swarm sometimes to so infinite a degree as to discolour 

 their nets, and to give them a reddish cast, while the men 

 are so bitten as to be thrown into fevers. 



There is a small long shining fly in these parts very 

 troublesome to the housewife, by getting into the 

 chimneys, and laying its eggs in the bacon while it is 

 drying : these eggs produce maggots called jumpers, 



