16tf On the permanent residence, «i^c. 



marked them more plentiful, the stronger the breeze blew from 

 the sea. 



December 20th. The weather continued much the same. 

 Foggy and drizzly mist. Thermometer averaging 63° . 



January 14th. Thermometer at 42°, weather continues 

 the same ; my little favourites constantly in view. 



January 28th. Thermometer at 40. Having seen the H. 

 viridis continually, and the H. purpurea, or purple martin, 

 beginning to appear, I discontinued my observations. 



During the whole winter many of them retired to the holes 

 about the houses, but the greater number resorted to the lakes, 

 and spent the night among the branches of the myrica cerifera 

 L. or drier, as it is termed by the French settlers. About 

 sunset they began to flock together, calling to each other for 

 that purpose, and in a short time presented the appearance of 

 clouds moving towards the lakes or the mouths of the Mis- 

 sissippi, as the weather and wind suited. Their aerial evolu- 

 tions before they alight are truly beautiful. They appear at 

 first as if reconnoitring the place, when suddenly throwing 

 themselves into a vortex of apparent confusion, they descend 

 spirally with astonishing quickness, and resemble very much 

 a trombe or water- spout. When within a few feet of the ground, 

 they disperse in all directions, and settle in a few moments. 

 Their twittering, and the motion of their wings, is, however, 

 heard during the whole night. As soon as the day begins to 

 dawn, they rise, flying low over the lakes, almost touching the 

 water for some time, then rising, they gradually move off in 

 search of food, separating in different directions. The hun- 

 ters who resort to these places, destroy great numbers of them 

 by knocking them down with light paddles used in propel- 

 ling their canoes. 



