OF SELBORNE. 239 



come over to us from the continent at the 

 narrowest passage, and do not stroll so far 

 westward. 



Let me hear from your own observa- 

 tion whether skylarks do not dust. I think 

 they do : and if they do, whether they 

 wash also. 



The alauda pratensis of Ray was the 

 poor dupe that was educating the booby 

 of a cuckoo mentioned in my letter of Oc^o- 

 bei' last. 



Your letter came too late for me to pro- 

 cure a ring-ousel for Mr. Tunstal during 

 their autumnal visit ; but I will endeavour 

 to get him one when they call on us again 

 in April. I am glad that you and that gen- 

 tleman saw my Andalusian birds ; I hope 

 they answered your expectation. Roj/ston, 

 or grey crows, are Winter birds that come 

 much about the same time with the wood- 

 cock : they, like the fieldfare and red wing, 

 have no apparent reason for migration : for 

 ' as they fare in the Winter like their conge- 

 ners, so might they, in all appearance, in 

 the Summer. Was not Tenant, when a boy. 



