296 FACULTIES OF BIRDS. 



In like manner the quail, which in spring is dif- 

 fused over all the temperate regions of Europe, is 

 known 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 food or the increase of cold, it being 

 experienced by individuals removed from the influ- 

 ence 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 celerity 

 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- 



