OK THE ARRIVAL OP SWALIjOWS. 177 



But to turn from books to facts. Mr. W. R. Fisher, one of the authors 

 of a history of the birds of Norfolk, was with me in Devonshire, in the 

 spring of 184G; and on inquiring of Mr. W, F. Ross, of Topsham, a very 

 eminent ornithologist there, and probably known to Mr. JuHan, as to the fact 

 of Nightingales being rare in that part of the world, he informed us that he 

 heard them repeatedly every year; and a very few days afterwards, namely, 

 on Thursday, the 16th. April, 1846, we both saw and heard the Nightingale 

 singing on a tall elm tree, in the Northernhay, a public promenade, at Exeter. 

 That we were not the only persons who saw the Nightingale in Devonshire 

 in that year, is shewn by a communication made the following month to '^The 

 Zoologist;" in which Mr. Murch, of Honiton, mentions that one had just 

 been killed nejvr that town. I venture, therefore, respectfully to suggest 

 the desirability of ornithologists, in other parts of Devon, looking out for this 

 accomplished warbler, and making public any further appearance on his part. 

 I feel satisfied that, to be found, he only requires to be looked after. 



5, Kings Hoady Bedford Row, June 13^7t. ISol. 



ON THE ARRIVAL OF SWALLOWS. 



BV W. BALSHAW, ESQ., M. R. C. P. 



As noticed in my former communication, April 10th., one of my boys 

 assures me that he saw three Swallows pass over Fleetwood, on the morning 

 of the 3rd. of April. I did not myself notice any until the 12th. of that 

 month; on which day I observed two skimiuing over the marsh, near the 

 railway, about a mile from the town. On the 18th. I saw one hovering 

 over the bay, and another near the landmark, about two miles distant. 

 Owing to some cause or other, they are still very rare in th's locality; I 

 scarcely ever observe more than a single pair together in any of my strolls; 

 and this has been a subject of remark again and again by my boys^ who 

 are keen observers. 



On our arrival from the south, at the end of April, last year, I was struck 

 with the fewness of the Hirundines throughout this neighbourhood. They 

 were scarce dixring the whole summer, but certainly their numbers might be 

 looked upon as considerable in comparison with the present season. Two 

 pairs built under the projection of the stone cornices above our windows. 

 When they had eggs, a heavy storm of wind and rain destroyed one nest 

 entirely, and the other partially. The latter was immediately repaired by its 

 thrifty and laborious occupants, but I am sorry to say before the young were 

 fledged we were visited by another severe gale and pouring rain, during which 

 the nest and brood fell a sacrifice. Both pairs deserted their chosen habitat. 



The following dates have reference to the neighbourhood of Southampton: — 



1842. — April 26th. A single Swallow seen. 



VOL. I. . 2 A 



