( XV ) 



NATING Vegetables. Perhaps this name might likewise be applied to those \'egetables, which are natives of 

 warm, southern countries, but gradually accommodate themselves to the rigorous winters of noi'thern climates. 1 

 think, it was the late Mr. John Hunter who first ventured to conjectm-e, that man himself is not incapable of be- 

 coming torpid. Professor Fabricius is of the same opinion.* Nor is it at all improbable. In his internal structure, 

 in the temperature of his blood, man diflers in no very essential circumstances from some of those animals, which, 

 in certain climates, almost constantly pass into the torpid state. 



§. XXXIII. 



It is important for our purpose, in the discussion of the question of the disappearance of birds, that many of 

 those species which are believed to be migratory are annually seen on their passage ; in the .spring from the south to 

 the north, and in the autumn from the north to the south. Some of these passengers migrate in immense flocks, 

 whilst others go and return more individually. Mr. Bartram has seen, in the autumn, large flocks of all oru: four 

 species of Swallows, on their return southward from Penn.sylvauia, through Carolina, Florida, &c. and in the spring 

 on their return to the northward again.f The immense migrations of the Passenger-Pigeons are well known to every 

 body in this country. I have already hinted at the great flights of Friagilla tristis, Motacilla Sialis, Loxia Cur- 



virostra, FringiUa (Hemp-Bird), and Anas canadensis, which are aimually observed on their passage to the 



south. X I might mention a number of other species which move in similar bodies. I shall content myself with men- 

 tioning one. This is the Brown Crane of Pennant. This species is foimd in Me.xico. It is described by Hernandez, 

 who calls it, Toijui/aii/nil. § They arrive in Florida and Carolina, from the south, in the months of Ilebruary and 

 March. The flocks, which are immense, are heard and seen very high in the air. Their phalanx is in the form of 

 the letter r- . They pass over Pennsylvania, the Jersies, New-York, &c. and continue their rout as far north as Hudson's 

 Bay, where they breed, and in the autumn retire to the south again. It is curious, however, that in their return, they 

 do not move in the same form in which they came. They now form two or three cu'cles intersecting each other, often 

 changing the figm'e of the body, and forming again, as they are joined by other squadrons. Milton's description 

 of the flight of the Common Crane || of the old world equally applies to our species. 



" Part loosely wing the region: part more wise, 



In common, rimg'd in figure wedge their way, 



Intelligent of seasons, and set forth 



Their aery caravan, high over seas 



Flying, and over lands with mutual wing 



Easing their flight. So steers the prudent Crane 



Her annual voyage, borne on winds ; 



The air flotes as they pass, fanu'd with unnumber'd plumes." 



Pakadise Lost. Book VII. 425 — 432. 



§. XXXIV. 



I fear, I shall be thought to have taken up too much time in endeavoiuing to ]n'Ove, that the greater number of 

 our birds which disappear on the approach of winter, retire to southern and milder climates. Indeed, I am of opinion, 

 that the migration of our birds is a fact so well established in the natm-al history of these animals, that it will not, in 

 general, be doubted, except by those persons who are prepense to doubt on every subject. In Asia, in Africa, and 

 in Europe, where observations on this subject have long been made, the migration of many species has been com- 

 pletely established. In our own times, it has been particularly observed that many species visit different countries of 

 Europe in the spring, and leave them in the autumn, in the same manner as other species visit and leave us at the 

 .same seasons of the year. 



See Appendix I. P. 16. J See Page viii. §. XIII. 5 Pai;. 44. Cap. cxJriii. J Ardea Griia of Lmnfflus. 



