114 
NATtlRAL HISTORY 
forsaken us sooner this year than usual ; for on September the 
22nd ^ey rendezvoused in a neighbour's wulnut tree, where 
it seemed probable they had taken up their lodging for the 
night. At the dawn of the day, which was foggy, they 
rose all together in infinite numbers, occasioning such a 
rushing from the strokes of their wings against the hazy 
air, as might be heard to a considerable distance : since that 
no flock has appeared, only a few stragglers. 
THE TERN -OWL. 
Some swifts stayed late, till the 22nd of August — a rare 
instance ! for they usually withdraw within the first week.^ 
On September the 24th 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 I 
1 See Letter LII. to Mr. Barrington. — G. W. 
