{ xvi ) 



§. XXXV. 



But it is said, we are unable to detorminc to what particular country these American birds of passage emigrate. 

 Tliis, with respect to many species, is strictly true. Tlie ob.servation, however, does not apply to all the migratory 

 birds whicli 1 have mentioned. 



§. XXXVI. 



It is pretty certain, that some of our migratory birds do not remove to a very great distance. Of this number 

 are those species which even in the depth of winter make their appearance among us when we have a few 

 days of warm and open weather. The Blue-Bird is one of these birds.* It is probable that it does not often re- 

 move far. Perhaps, it goes to the sea-coast, where the temperature is more equable. Perhaps, however, these 

 ))irds might, with more propriety, he considered as Residents. They, certainly, sometimes continue with us the 

 whole winter. They may easOy find a secure retreat fi-om the winter's cold in the neighbourhood of the sea, and 

 in close thickets of wood. Possibly, those species which are seen among us in mild winters, do not commonly re- 

 tire as far south as the others. But this is only conjecture. We are certain that the Turdus Polyglottos, the Ardea 

 Ilerodias, and several others, which occasionally winter in Pennsylvania, do not ahoays winter in the southern states. 



§. XXXVII. 



'J'lie greater number of our migTatory birds seem to remove to a very considerable distance from us. It is proba- 

 l)le, that they pass their winters in the Carolinas, Georgia, the Floridas, Mexico, Sminam, Brasil, and all the warm 

 parts of South-America, and the West-India-Islands. That, in general, they remove farther south than the south- 

 ern parts of the United-States may safely be inferred from the very small number of our birds that is known 

 to hiemate in this part of the country. Thus, the Swallows are no more observed to winter in the southern states 

 tlian they are in Pennsylvania. And my friend Mr. Bartram assures me, that he does not know more than three 

 of the Spring Birds of Passage that regularly winter in that part of the Union. These are the Muscicapa carolinensis 

 (Oat-Bird), Columba carolinensis (Tiu'tle-Dove), and the Turdus minor, or Little Thrush. They winter as far 

 north as Oape-Fear, in North-Carolina. I do not suppose, however, that this is the whole list of the passenger- 

 birds of Pennsylvania that continue the winter through in the southern states. Some have, probably, escaped Mr. 

 Bartram"8 observation. At any rate, it will not be doubted, that during very mild winters many species con- 

 tinue in these states, since, during such winters, several species remain in Pennsylvania. I am assured, that the Eice- 

 Birds often pass the whole winter in South-Carolina ; and some gentlemen, with whom I have conversed on the 

 subject, are even of opinion, that the species regularly hiemate in that state. This, however, I presume is a mis- 

 take. Mr. Catesby says the Mocking Bird hiemates in Carolina. That it does so occasionally, there can be little 

 doubt : but it is pretty certain, that, in general, it is a migratory bird, t I suspect that, besides the three species men- 

 tioned by Mr. Bartram, the following birds pretty regularly hiemate in some of the southern states, particularly 

 South-Carolina, and Georgia, and in the country of Florida : Oriolus phoeniceus, Gracula Quiscula, Picus auratus, 

 I'icus erythrocephalus, Fringilla pecoris, Alauda alpestris, Charadrius voeiferus, Rallus virginianus, Scolopax Gal- 

 linago, and a good many of the Anseres. 



• So.- Section III. Ve^r 12. 



t Arctii- Zuologj-. Vol. II. pgge l6. It is a curious fact, that prcyious to th. . i I ui ,i, i , ,r i --,^-1780, or 1785-1784 (I am not positive which), the 



Mockiug-Rird more commonly remained in the vicinity of Philadelphia and uili 1 m r i .\ Urmia, during the winter-season, than it has done 



since that time. I am inclined to think, that the extreme severity of the seas"ii I ,! : i> 1 j hi enod these birds away. I am sensible, however, 

 that tliis mode of explaining the fact will not appear satisfactory to tho^e luiiur , : ,v !: , 1 , ;■, ^. , that the instinct of animals is a vis impelUm, a 

 ■■determinate" something; and that they never acquire any knowledge by eiptriiii,-,-. V.ry .MVc-r.-nt is my opinion, as I shall fully show in a work on 

 the Instinct of animals, in which t have been, for some time, engaged. 



