Letter XXXI
To Thomas Pennant, Esquire

Selborne, Sept. 14, 1770.

Dear Sir,

You saw, I find, the ring-ousels again among their native crags; and
are farther 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 merits in
ascertaining many of the birds of the Tirol and Carniola.
Monographers, come from whence they may, have, I think, fair