76 
THE NATURAL HISTORY 
[LETT, 
LETTER XXIY. 
TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 
The Scarahmis fidlo I know very well, having seen it in collec- 
tions ; but have never been able to discover one wild in its 
natural state. Mr. Banks told me he thought it might be found 
on the sea coast. 
On the 13th of April I went to tlie sheep-down, where tlie 
ring-ousels have been observed to make their appearance at 
spring and fall, in their way perhaps to the north or south ; and 
was much pleased to see three birds about the usual spot. We 
shot a cock and a hen; they were phimp and in high condition. 
The hen had but very small rudiments of eggs within her, which 
proves they are late breeders ; whereas those species of the 
thrush kind that remain with us the whole year have fledged 
young before that time. In their crops was nothing very distin- 
guishable, but somewhat that seemed like blades of vegetables 
nearly digested. In autumn they feed on haws and yew-berries, 
and in the spring on ivy -berries. I dressed one of these birds, 
and found it juicy and well-flavoured. It is remarkable that 
they only stay a few days in their spring visit, but rest nearly a 
fortnight at Michaelmas. These birds, from the observations of 
three springs and two autumns, are most punctual in their 
return ; and exhibit a new migration unnoticed by the writers, 
who supposed they never were to be seen in any of the southern 
counties. 
One of my neighbours lately brought me a new Salicaria, 
which at first I suspected might have proved your willow-lark ; ^ 
but, on a nicer examination, it answered much better to the 
^ For this Salicaria, or sedge-warbler, see Letter XKVI. August 30, 1769. 
