of them." This
well accounts for the vast quantities that are caught about that time on
the south downs near Lewes, where they are esteemed a delicacy. There
have been shepherds, I have been credibly informed, that have made many
pounds in a season by catching them in traps. And though such multitudes
are taken, I never saw (and I am well acquainted with those parts) above
two or three at a time, for they are never gregarious. They may perhaps
migrate in general, and, for that purpose, draw towards the coast of
Sussex in autumn: but that they do not all withdraw I am sure, because I
see a few stragglers in many counties, at all times of the year,
especially about warrens and stone quarries.

I have no acquaintance, at present, among the gentlemen of the navy; but
have written to a friend, who was a sea-chaplain in the late war,
desiring him to look into his minutes, with respect to birds that settled
on their rigging during their voyage up or down the Channel. What
Hasselquist says on that subject is remarkable; there were little
short-winged birds frequently coming on board his ship all the way from
our channel quite up to the Levant, especially before squally weather.

What you suggest, with regard to Spain, is highly probable. The winters
of Andalusia are so mild, that, in all likelihood, the soft-billed birds
that leave us at that season may find insects sufficient to support them
there.

Some young man, possessed of fortune, health, and leisure, should make an
autumnal voyage into that kingdom, and should spend a year there,
investigating the natural history of that vast country. Mr. Willughby
passed through that kingdom on such an errand; but he seems to have
skirted along in a superficial manner and an ill-humour, being much
disgusted at the rude dissolute manners of the people.

I have no friend left now at Sunbury to apply to about the swallows
roosting on the aits of the Thames: nor can I hear any more about those
birds which I suspected were _Meruloe torquatoe_.

As to the small mice, I have farther to remark, that though they hang
their nests for breeding up amidst the straws of the standing corn, above
the ground, yet I find that, in the winter, they burrow deep in the
earth, and make warm beds of grass: but their grand rendezvous seems to
be in corn-ricks, into which they are carried at harvest. A neighbour
housed an oat-rick lately, under the thatch of which were assembled
nearly a hundred, m