nyt 
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. | - of 
worms that are common on sheepwalks and downs. ‘They 
breed on fallows and lay-fields abounding with grey mossy flints, 
which much resemble their young in color ; among which they 
-skulk and conceal themselves. They make no nest, but lay 
their eggs on the bare ground, producing in common but two at 
atime. There is reason to think their young run soon after 
they are hatched; and that the old ones do not feed them, but 
only lead them about at the time of feeding, which, for the 
most part, is in the night.” ‘Thus far, my friend. 
In the manners of this bird you see there is something very 
analogous to the bustard, whom it also somewhat resembles in 
aspect and make, and in the structure of its feet. 
For a long time I have desired my relation to look out for 
these birds in Andalusia; and now he writes me word that, 
for the first time, he saw one dead in the market on the 3rd 
of September. 
When the stone-curlew flies it stretches out its legs straight 
behind, like a heron. 
LETTER XXXIV. 
SELBORNE, J/arch 30th, 17717. 
There is an insect with us, especially on chalky districts, 
which is very troublesome and teasing all the latter end of the 
summer, getting into people’s skins, especially those of women 
and children, and raising tumors which itch intolerably. This 
animal (which we call a harvest bug) is very minute, scarce 
discernible to the naked eye; of a bright scarlet color, and of 
the genus of Acarus. They are to be met with in gardens on 
kidney-beans, or any legumens, but prevail only in the hot 
months of summer. Warreners, as some have assured me, are 
much infested by them on chalky downs, where these insects 
swarm sometimes to so infinite a degree as to discolor their 
