OF SELBORNE, 
81 
the ring-ousels have been observed to make their appearance 
at spring and fall, in their way perhaps to the north oi 
south ; and was much pleased to see three birds about the 
usual spot. We shot a cock and a hen ; they were plump 
and in high condition. The hen had but very small rudi- 
ments of eggs within her, which proves they are late 
breeders, whereas those species of the thrush kind that re- 
main with us the whole year have fledged young before 
that time. In their crops was nothing very distinguishable, 
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 
MELOLONTHA FULLO. 
birds, and found it juicy and well-flavoured. It is remark- 
al^le, that they make but a few days^ stay in their spring 
visit, but rest near 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 migra- 
tion 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 
ous, have occurred on the coast of Kent. Dover seems to be the middle 
point of their range, from which they extend westward as far as Hythe, 
and northward to Sandwich. Mr. Stephens has recorded the capture, by 
a lady, of no less than eight specimens in one year, in the neighbourhood 
of Sandwich ; a number probably nearly equal to all the others that are 
known to have been at any time taken in this country. — ^d. 
1 For this Salicaria, see Letter, August 30, 1769. — G. W. 
The birds to which White previously applied the generic term Salicaria 
were the wiUow wrens, as already pointed out in note 1, p. 54, and 
Pennant's willow lark, as shown in note 3, p. 69, was the wood wren, Plu 
a 
