294 SWIMMERS. 



the winter, being seen on the Mississippi nearly to New 

 Orleans. They retire from their natal regions in the North in 

 September, and early in October are seen to arrive in great 

 numbers about Ipswich, Cape Ann, and Cape Cod, in Massa- 

 chusetts, continuing to come till the month of November, and 

 generally appearing in greater numbers after the occurrence of 

 an eastwardly storm. In hazy weather they also fly low, and 

 diverge into the bays and inlets. Many of these wandering 

 flocks pass on to the South almost without any delay, usually 

 in marshalled and angular lines, but sometimes in a confused 

 gang, loudly gabbling as they proceed. Their stay here is 

 commonly so short that it is necessary to ambuscade in huts on 

 their route in order to obtain them. The course of their pas- 

 sage is remarkably uniform, and instead of winding round the 

 bays, they cross over the narrow necks and peninsulas of land 

 which lie in their southern route, as if in haste to arrive at 

 some particular destination, or dissatisfied with the prospect of 

 fare. They continue almost without interruption their inflex- 

 ible course until, seduced by the mildness of the climate or 

 the abundance of their food, they seem inclined to take up 

 their permanent winter residence in the inlets of Long Island 

 and the sheltered bays of New Jersey, arriving, according to 

 Wilson, in Egg Harbor sometimes as early as the 20th of 

 September, or almost without the intermission of any interval, 

 but for necessary food and repose, from the time of their leav- 

 ing the shores of Hudson Bay. The first flights, still adven- 

 turous and roving, generally remain here only a few days, and 

 then pass on still farther to the South. Flocks continue, how- 

 ever, to arrive from the North, and many individuals remain 

 in the waters of New Jersey until the severe weather of De- 

 cember urges them to seek out milder regions. On recom- 

 mencing their journey they assemble in one great flight, making 

 an extensive spiral sweep some miles in circuit, to reconnoitre 

 their route ; when, rising at length high in the air, they steer 

 to the ocean, and continue their course along the bays, or 

 even out at sea for several leagues, till they arrive again at 

 some new destination. 



