BRITISH BIRDS. 
$30 
This bird vifits us about the middle of March, 
and from that time till fome time in May is feen 
to arrive ; it frequents new-tilled grounds, and ne- 
ver fails to follow the plough in fearch of infe£ts 
and fmall worms, which are its principal food. In 
fome parts of England great numbers are taken in 
fnares made of horfe hair, placed beneath a turf ; 
near 2000 dozen are faid to be taken annually in 
that way, in one diftri£t only, which are generally 
fold at fixpence per dozen Great numbers are 
lent to the London markets, where they are much 
efteemed, being thought not inferior to the Orto- 
lan. The White- rump breeds under ftielter of a tuft 
or clod, in newly ploughed lands, or under hones, 
and fometimes in old rabbit burrows ; its neft is 
conftru£ted with great care ; it is compofed of dry 
grafs or mofs, mixed with wool, and lined with fea- 
thers ; it is defended by a fort of covert, fixed to 
the hone or clod under which it is formed ; the fe- 
male generally lays five or fix eggs, of a light blue, 
the larger end encompafled with a circle of a fome- 
what deeper hue. They leave us in Auguft and 
September, and about that time are feen in great 
numbers by the fea-fhore, where, probably, they 
fubfift fome little time before they take their de- 
parture. They are extended over a large portion 
pf the globe, even as far as the fouthern parts of 
Afi&. 
% Pennant. 
