These reflections made so strong an impression on my imagination,
that they became productive of a composition that may perhaps
amuse you for a quarter of an hour when next I have the honour of
writing to you.
Letter XXIV
To Thomas Pennant, Esquire
Selborne, May 29, 1769.
Dear Sir,
The scarabaeus fullo I know very well, having seen it in
collections; but have never been able to discover one wild in its
natural state. Mr. Banks told me he thought it might be found on
the sea-coast.
On the thirteenth of April I went to the sheep-down, where the
ring-ousels have been observed to make their appearance at spring
and fall, in their way perhaps to the north or 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 rudiments of eggs within her, which proves they are late
breeders; whereas those species of the thrush kind that remain with
us the whole year have fledged young before that time.
Pages:
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128