SWALLOWS. 507 
number of them were found occupied by sparrows. One of the more 
legitimate proprietors, thus despoiled of his property, endeavoured by 
every possible means to recover possession, but all was unavailing. 
Under these circumstances the assistance of its companions was 
demanded. The whole assembly proceeded to besiege the intruder. 
It resisted, intrenching itself in its fort, and in revenge the ousted 
swallows brought mud in their bills, and actually walled up the en- 
trance to the citadel and entombed the interloper in his cell. The 
truth of this account, which is repeated by many naturalists, has been 
denied ; but Mr. McGillivray, than whom we have no more reliable 
author, records three well-authenticated similar instances. 
Swallows generally leave us in the month of September in 
order to seek a milder climate, and one providing more abundant 
food. Some time before their departure their cries are incessant, 
and great agitation is seen in their ranks; ultimately they assemble 
in some elevated place, as if to hold council and deliberate over their 
journey, and fix the date of their departure ; finally, a day is decided 
on, which, when it arrives, all the swallows of the neighbourhood mass 
at a rendezvous, and after certain evolutions, intended, no doubt, 
to determine the route, they advance in one mass towards the shores 
of the Mediterranean, whence they pass into Africa. Although they 
are of all birds the strongest on the wing and best adapted for a long 
journey, they cannot accomplish this without rest if adverse winds 
should arise. Ships passing are frequently boarded by stragglers which 
alight on the rigging ; and both at Gibraltar and Tangiers large flocks 
are occasionally seen to arrive in a state of great exhaustion. ‘Those 
stragglers which, through weakness or the duties of maternity, are 
prevented from joining the great flocks, depart some days later in 
smaller parties. Occasionally, however, a few individuals seem to 
remain with us all the year round, contriving to survive the most 
severe winters, which has given rise to the supposition that the 
Swallow has the power of hibernating, or of remaining in a state of 
torpor during the winter, and returning to animation in the spring. 
This much-controverted point has now been consigned to the mythical 
legends to which it belongs. . 
Swallows have in all ages possessed the sympathies of mankind, 
some of the ancients regarding them as sacred birds; nor are they 
ungrateful for the good feeling they excite. The services they 
render in destroying vast quantities of noxious insects, not to speak 
of their gentle habits, mutual attachment to each other, and the 
happy presage they bring with them of spring’s advent, contribute to 
make them welcome visitors. Nevertheless, instances do occur where 
