the Swallow in the United States. 107 



history. After some years of reflection and constant observa- 

 tion, I remarked that among all the species of migratory birds, 

 those that remove farthest from us, depart sooner than those 

 which retire only to the confines of the United States, and by 

 a parity of reasoning, those that remain later, return earlier in 

 in the spring. 



These remarks were confirmed, as I advanced towards the 

 south-west on the approach of winter, as I there found great 

 numbers of Warblers, Thrushes, &c. in full feather and song. 

 It was also remarked, that the Hirundo viridis of Wilson, 

 (called by the French of lower Louisiana le petit martinet a 

 ventre blanc) remained about the city of New-Orleans later 

 than any other swallow. As immense numbers of them were 

 seen during the month of November, I kept a diary of the 

 temperature from the third of that month, until the arrival of 

 the Hirundo purpurea. 



The following notes are taken from my journal, and as I 

 had fair opportunities during a residence of three years in 

 that country, of visiting the lakes to which these swallows re- 

 sort during the transient frosts, I present them with confidence 

 to the Lyceum. 



November 11th, weather extremely sharp, with a heavy 

 white frost ; swallows in abundance during the whole day. 

 On inquiry of the inhabitants if this was a usual occurrence, 

 I was answered in the affirmative by all the French and 

 Spaniards. From this date to the 22nd, the thermometer 

 averaged 65°, the weather generally a drizzly fog. Swallows 

 playing over the city in thousands. 



November 25th. Thermometer this morning at 30°* Ice 

 in New-Orleans a quarter of an inch thick. The swallows 

 resorted to the lee of the cypress swamp in the rear of the 

 city. Thousands were flying in different flocks. Fourteen 

 were killed at a single shot, all in perfect plumage and very 

 fat. The markets were abundantly supplied with these tender, 

 juicy, and delicious birds. Saw swallows every day, but re- 



