XXXVIU.] 
OF SELBORNE. 
113 
I was greatly pleased to see little parties of ring-oiisels (my 
newly-discovered migrators) scattered, at intervals, all along the 
Sussex downs from Chichester to Lewes. Let them come from 
whence they will, it looks very suspicious that they are cantoned 
along the coast, in order to pass the Channel wlien severe weather 
advances. They visit us again in April, as it should seem, in 
their return ; and are not to be found in tlie dead of winter. It 
is remarkable that they are very tame, and seem to have no 
manner of apprehensions of danger from a person with a gun. 
There are bustards on the Avide downs near Brighthelmstone. 
No doubt you are acquainted with tlie Sussex downs : the pros- 
pects and rides round Lewes are most loA^ely ! 
As I rode along near the coast I kept a very sharp look-out 
in the lanes and woods, hoping I might, at this time of tlie 
CliOSSBILL's EGG. 
year, have discovered some of the summer short-Avinged birds of 
passage croAvding toAvards the coast in order for their departure 
but it AA^as very extraordinary that I never saw a redstart, 
whitethroat, blackcap, 'uncrested Avren, liycatcher, &c. And I 
remember to have made the same remark in former years, as I 
■usually come to this place annually about this time. The birds 
most common along the coast at present are the stone-chatters, 
Avhinchats, buntings, linnets, some few Avheatears, titlarks, &c. 
Sw^alloAvs and house-martins abound yet, induced to prolong 
their stay by this soft, still, dry season. 
A land tortoise, Avliich has been kept for thirty years in a little 
walled court belonging to the house where I now am visiting, 
retires under ground about the middle of November, and comes 
forth again about the middle of April. When it first appears in 
the spring it discovers very little inclination towards food: but 
in the height of summer grows voracious : aud then as the 
summer declines its appetite declines also ; so that for the last 
I 
