132 NOTES ON BRITISH SAVALLOWS. 



might term eyes; but I must confess I did not see them sparkling finely, 

 neither can I say that they were of a very "lovely blue." 



It will be seen from the foregoing list that, even if we take away the 

 doubtful ones, we can, after all, boast of sixteen distinct species — no mean 

 number, everything considered; and I have no doubt that future observation 

 will add more, and tend to clear up the mist ti t hangs over others alluded 

 to here. 



Banff, February 26th., 1854. 



NOTES ON BRITISH SWALLOWS. 



BY A SEA- SIDE NATURALIST. 



We well remember the deep interest we took in these birds as we watched 

 them flying along shore at the time of their arrival in spring. Our Journal, 

 from the second week of April to the 1st. of May, famishes proofs of the 

 frequency of our observations respecting them; and a common source of wonder 

 appears to have been the immense number that swept past, — all in one direction 

 — northwards. We conjectured they had coasted along the shores of England, 

 and were proceeding to people our northern towns, villages, and country-places, 

 where we were sure the glad presence of the Swallow had not been hailed. 

 And this may be illustrated by the following scene we witnessed: — 



Up to the 20th. of April, 1848, not a Swallow had been seen in the town 

 or neighbourhood of Dunbar; and in the morning of that day, just about 

 sunrise, when rambling by the sea-side about a mile distant from the town, 

 we observed, by the aid of a glass, an immense concourse of small birds out 

 at sea, a long way off to the south-east, but speedily approaching; they were 

 distinctly seen glancing in the light streaks on the water, and in their 

 flight inclining towards the shore. When nearer us, we knew them to be the 

 Common Martlet or Window Swallow, {Hirundo iirbica,) and the main body 

 of the flock flew steadily past, giving off" detachments, now and then, which 

 steered landwards, and broke up into smaller companies. A second and a 

 third troop of them appeared, and, like the first, flew steadily onwards, with- 

 out diverging in the main from their flight northwards; and in our return 

 we found the town street alive with them flying to and fro. In front of 

 one unoccupied house, were at least thirty or forty, chirping and chattering 

 around the window corners bearing the remains of old nests; and on 

 different chimney tops we observed others busied in arranging their plumage 

 after their journey. But this manner of appearing is not usual; generally 

 speaking, a few scattered pairs are the heralds, and even these may be seen 

 for some days before others arrive. We may remark, however, that every 

 season we have noticed these migrations — flocks passing, and straggling parties 

 leaving them in the manner described. 



The Chimney Swallow, (£". rustica,) and the Sand Martin, {H. riparia,) 



