Some swifts staid late, till the 22nd of August — a 

 rare instance! for they usually withdraw within the 

 first week."^ 



On the 24th of September 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! 

 Selborxe, 1771. 



LETTER XLVIII. 

 To THE Honourable Daines Barrington. 



When I ride about in the winter, and see such 

 prodigious flocks of various kinds of birds, I cannot 

 help admiring these congregations, and wishing that 

 it was in my power to account for those appearances 

 almost peculiar to the season. The two great mo- 

 tives which regulate the proceedings of the brute 

 creation are love and hunger; the former incites 

 animals to perpetuate their kind, the latter induces 

 them to preserve individuals ; whether either of 

 these should seem to be the ruling passion in the 

 matter of congregating is to be considered. As to 

 love, that is out of the question at a time of the year 

 when that soft passion is not indulged ; besides, dur- 

 ing the amorous season, such a jealousy prevails be- 



^ See Letter XCVI. to Mr. Barrington. 

 172 



