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IV. A Postscript to the Paper ‘ On the Swallow”? inserted in 
No. 246. By Mr. Gavin InaGuts. 
To Mr. Tilloch. 
Strathendry Bleachfield, Dec, 7, 1818. 
Sir, — Ox reading my communication On the Swallow, inserted 
in your Number for October last, I find I had omitted one anec- 
dote, which, although trivial in itself, may without impropriety 
be inserted, as it tends in some measure to elucidate the wisely- 
discriminating penetration of these wonderfully sagacious little 
creatures, when deviating from the general habits of their species. 
The anecdote was connected with, and should have followed, 
«* | have known both kinds in a bad season, when short of flies 
to nourish and bring forward their young, abandon whole nests 
of the last sittings to perish, when the ultimate period of their 
departure arrived, but never knew them separate and leave the 
other divisions behind.”” Neither did I ever know even a strag- 
gling deviation, except in one solitary instance, and which must 
have been the result of deliberation, dictated by the peculiar cir- 
cumstances of the season, conjoined with heart-ties of the ten- 
derest parental affection. 
In the year 1814, by accident the nests with the second incu- 
' bation of two pair had fallen and the eggs were broken. This 
misfortune was repaired with all possible dispatch by rebuilding, 
and a fresh sitting of eggs produced. but by this circumstance, - 
and consequent delay, these nestlings were thrown far behind 
their twin-kindred of the same brood. And when the period of 
departure arrived, they had not gained sufficient fledging to leave 
the nest. The weather however was dry, and the season upon 
the whole favourable. The parents of both nests, contrary to the 
practice in unfavourable years, allowed the colony to depart, re- 
mained behind after every swallow but themselves was gone, 
nourished and brought forward their second brood, put them 
through all their trainings and facings, and, in about fourteen 
days after their associates had gone, took their departure, direct- 
ing and protecting the flight of their young to join the departed 
colony. 
I have now to communicate one additional fact, which I con- 
sider a complete refutation of their fancied subaquatic hiberna- 
tion. During the past summer, the servants observing the atten- 
tion I was bestowing on every movement of the swallows, were 
quite alive to point out every thing regarding them that appeared 
any way particular. From the fineness of the season, and no 
lack of food, the young brood all survived; and towards the period 
of their hibernating, joined in all probability by other distant 
colonies, they mustered numbers far beyond what I ever remem- 
ber 
