296 FACULTIES OF BIRDS. 
4 
In like manner the quail, which in spring is dif- 
fused over all the temperate regions of Europe, is 
ktiown to betake itself, in autumn, to the coasts of 
Africa, and to penetrate into Arabia and Persia. 
Notwithstanding the smallness of their wings, they 
cross the Mediterranean: they wait whole weeks 
for a favourable wind, reposing on every small isle: 
hence they are taken by thousands on the Ionian 
isles and the coast of Asia. Should the wind 
change rapidly, great numbers of them perish in the 
sea. Swallows have been seen crossing the Medi- 
terranean in autumn towards the African shores, but 
where their voyage terminates is yet unknown. 
It is remarkable that all migratory birds; when 
detained in captivity, manifest great agitation when 
the period of their migration arrives, insomuch that 
some of them, the quail in particular, occasionally 
kill themselves through their efforts to escape. 
This agitation is always greatest at night, proving, 
together with observation, that birds generally com- 
mence their flight at that time. The cause of this 
pervading inquietude cannot be attributed either to 
the want of foud or the increase of cold, it being 
experienced by individuals removed from the influ- 
e1ce of either, and therefore must reside in some as 
yet mysterious warning, no doubt produced by nat- 
ural causes, which the Creator and Preserver of the 
universe has found necessary to the safety of his 
creatures. : 
It may seem strange that birds, such as the quail 
and landrail, remarkable for their limited powers of 
flight, should be able to perform so extensive a jour- 
ney as that from England to Egypt; but doubtless 
these, and many species of small birds, instead of 
flying continuously, proceed at intervals only, jour- 
neying by night and resting by day. The ecelerity 
with which swallows fly renders any exploit by 
them on the wing credible enough; and the steady 
flight of gannets, geese, and ducks, is obviously ca- 
