36 RECREATIONS OF A NATURALIST 



of British Vertebrate Animals, published in 1835, 

 is even now a useful book of reference, has left 

 behind him a pleasing reminiscence of the " Bourn 

 Wheatears." In a little memoir of his friend 

 William Yarrell, who died in 1856, printed for 

 private distribution only, he wrote in 1885 : — 



" One summer, I think it must have been about 

 1 83 1, Yarrell and myself, being full of the subject 

 of British fishes, agreed upon a trip to the south 

 coast to see what novelties we could get there, or 

 specimens in further illustration of the materials we 

 had already got together for our respective works. 

 . . . One afternoon during our stay at Eastbourne 

 we strolled on to the downs, and had a long chat 

 with one of the shepherd boys who — while the 

 season lasts — make a rich harvest by catchino- 

 Wheatears for the table. It was then just the time 

 (September), and the birds were beginning to 

 collect in large numbers on the downs previous to 

 migration. We were greatly amused at the boy's 

 eagerness for the sport. His whole soul was wrapt 

 up in it — even to the imagining, in his simplicity, 

 that one purpose for which Parliament met was to 

 determine the exact day when Wheatear catchincr 

 should begin. I remember giving him twopence 

 for one of his snares, which I have by me still. Of 

 course, we had Wheatears for dinner that day, and 

 being the choice dish of the place, which Eastbourne 

 cooks know very well how to prepare, they were 

 deliciously served up." 



Of this snare, bought from a Sussex shepherd, Mr 

 Blomefield afterwards sent me a sketch of the 



