Class II. SWALLOWS. 407 



In cold countries, a defeat of infed food on 

 the approach of winter, is a fufficient reafon for 

 thefe birds to quit them : but fince the fame caufe 

 probably does not fubfift in the warm climates, 

 recourfe fliould be had to fome other reafon for their 

 vanifhing. 



Of the three opinions, the firft has the utmod 

 appearance of probability •, which is, that they re- 

 move nearer the fun, where they can find a conti- 

 nuance of their natural diet, and a temperature of 

 air fuiting their conftitution^. That this is the cafe 

 with fome fpecies of European fwallows, has been 

 proved beyond contradidion (as above cited) by 

 M. Adanfon. We often obferve them colieded 

 in flocks innumerable on churches, on rocks, and 

 on trees, previous to their departure hence-, and 

 Mr. Collinfoji proves their return here in perhaps 

 equal numbers, by two curious relations of un- 

 doubted credit : the one communicated to him 

 by Mr. Wright^ mafter of a (hip ; the other by the 

 late Sir Charles Wager ; who both defcribed (to the 

 fame purpofe) what happened to each in their 

 voyages. "Returning home, fays Sir Charles^ in the 

 " fpringof the year, as I came into founding in our 

 " channel, a great flock of fwallows came and fee- 

 " tied on all my rigging; every rope was covered; 

 " they hung on one another like a fvvarm of bees; 

 *^ the decks and carving were filled with them. 

 " They feemed almoft famifhed and fpent, and were 

 *'' only feathers and bones ; but being recruited 



'' with 



