era en Pe Turis 
a 
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. ° 3 
stitute for them, fresh raw meat, can meet with neither in long 
and tedious voyages. It is from this defect of food that our 
collections (curious as they are) are defective, and we are 
deprived of some of the most delicate and lively genera. 
LETTER XXXI. 
SELBORNE, Sept. 14th, 1770. 
You saw, I find, the ring-ousels again among their native 
crags, and are further assured that, they continue resident in 
those cold regions the whole year. From whence then do our 
ring-ousels migrate so regularly every September, and make 
their appearance again, as if in their return, every April? 
They are more early this year than common, for some were 
seen at the usual hill on the fourth of this month. 
An observing Devonshire gentleman tells me that they 
frequent some parts of Dartmoor, and breed there; but leave 
those haunts about the end of September, or beginning of 
October, and return again about the end of March. 
Another intelligent person assures me that they breed in 
great abundance all over the peak of Derby, and are called 
there tor-ousels; withdraw in October and November, and 
return in spring. ‘This information seems to throw some light 
on my new migration. 
Scopoli’s new work? (which I have just procured) has its 
merit in ascertaining many of the birds of the Tirol and Car- 
niola. Monographers, come from whence they may, have, 
I think, fair pretence to challenge some regard and approba- 
tion from the lovers of natural history; for, as no man can 
alone investigate the works of nature, these partial writers may, 
each in their department, be more accurate in their discoveries, 
1 Annus Primus Historico-Waturalis, —W, 
