On the ToTp Idity of Mm alt* 240 



fjtrsons, that wh6le flocks of the Carolina parrot, or para- 

 Keet, (psittacus caroUitensiSf) continue in a torpid state, 

 in the hollows of trees, in the state of North Carolina, and 

 in some other parts of the American Union. I believe en- 

 tire dependence may i^ plated upon this slatement ; though 

 it would not be difficult to show, that these birds arc 

 often seen abroad, and pretty active, when the ground is 

 whitened by snow. I could mention not a few other 

 birds, the torpid state of which has been spoken of by na- 

 turalists and others ; and these birds I shall mention Iti 

 my ^' Facts, Experiments, and Observations, relative to the 

 Torpidity of Animals." 



But " what" (says Dr. Reeve) " is the eviderice in fa- 

 vour of so strange and monstrous a supposition ? Nothing 

 but the most vague testimonies, and histories repugnant to 

 reason and experience.'' 



This, surely, is not the proper language to be employed 

 in the investigation and discussion of physiological ques- 

 tions. Authorities are facts in natural, as well as in civil, 

 history. And in favour of the torpidity of some of the 

 birds which [ have mentioned, the authorities are, some^ 

 times at least, highly respectable: nor are they few in 

 number. Tn regard to the swallows, I shall say but little 

 ai present. I have, at this time, in the press, a memoir on 

 the migration and torpidity" of these birds. I am confident 

 that I shall be able to convince every candid philosopher, 

 that great numbers of swallows, of different species, do 

 occasionally pass into a state of torpidity, more or less pro- 

 found, not merely " in some remote quarter of America,'** 

 but in the vicinity of our capital cities, where there are 

 Some men of genuine observation and inquiry, and who 

 are as little prepense to believe the marvellous in natural 

 history, as any philosophers elsewhere. 



I do not suppose, that all the swallows of North Ame- 

 rica become torpid. It is my present opinion, and it was 

 my opinion when I published the " Fragments" in 1799> 

 that the swallows, in general^ are migratory birds*. But 

 subsequent and very extensive inquiries have conviticcd 

 me, that the instances of torpid swallows are much more 

 frequent than I formerly supposed they were ; and that 

 there are two species of the genus Hirundo, which are pe- 

 culiarly disposed to pass the brumal season in the cavities 

 of rocks, in the Uollo\vs of trees,. and in other similar sittir 



* See Fragments, &c. Appendix I. page 16. See, a^so, Introduction to 

 thi« \York, [)ag€»^,^^ xiii, § xxiv, xxv, xxvi. 



.S:L:ii'.i Qa ationi. 



