306 NATURAL RISTORY 
tire into that element, yet they may conceal them- 
selves in the banks of pools and rivers during the 
uncomfortable months of winter.* 
One of the keepers of Wolmer Forest sent mea 
* Swallows, congregating and disappearance of, from Miscel- 
laneous Observations : 
“During the severe winds that often prevail late in spring, it 
is not easy to say how the hirundines subsist, for the withdraw- 
ing themselves is hardly ever seen; nor do any insects appear 
for their support. That they can retire, to rest and sleep away 
those uncomfortable periods, as bats do, is a matter rather to be 
suspected than proved: or do they not rather spend their time 
in deep and sheltered vales, near waters, where insects are more 
likely to be found? Certain it is that hardly any individuals of 
me genus have at such times been seen for several days to- 
gether. 
‘« September 13, 1791. The congregating flocks of hirundines 
on the church and tower are very beautiful and amusing, 
When they fly off together on any alarm, they quite swarm in 
the air; but they soon settle into heaps, and preening their 
feathers, and lifting up their wings to admit the sun, seem high- 
ly to enjoy the warm situation. ‘Thus they spend the heat of the 
day, preparing for their emigration, and, as it were, consulting 
when and where they are to go. The flight about the church 
seems to consist chiefly of house-martins, above four hun- 
dred in number ; but there are other places of rendezvous about 
the village frequented at the same time. 
‘«Tt is remarkable, that though most of them sit on the battle- 
ments aud roof, yet many hang there for some time by their 
claws against the surface of the walls, in a manner not practised 
by them at any other time of their remaining with us. 
“The swallows seein to delight more in holding their assem- 
blies on trees. It is very remarkable, that after the Airundines 
have disappeared for some weeks, a few are occasionally seen 
again, sometimes in the first week of November, and that only 
for oneday. Do they not withdraw and slumber in some hiding- 
place during the interval? for we cannot suppose that they had 
migrated to warmer climates, and so returned again for one day. 
Is it not more probable that they are awakened from sleep, and, 
like the bats, are come forth to collect a little food? Bats appear 
at all seasons through the autumn and spring months, when the 
thermometer is at 50°, because their phalane and moths are 
thinning. 
“ These swallows looked like young ones.” 
a. 
