SWALLOWS. 507 



number of them were found occupied by sparrows. One of the more 

 legitimate proprietors, thus despoiled of his property, endeavoured by 

 every possible means to recover possession, but all was unavailing. 

 Under these circumstances the assistance of its companions was 

 demanded. The whole assembly proceeded to besiege the intruder. 

 It resisted, entrenching itself in its fort, and in revenge the ousted 

 swallows brought mud in their bills, and actually walled up the en- 

 trance to the citadel and entombed the interloper in his cell. The 

 truth of this account, which is repeated by many naturalists, has been 

 denied ; but Mr. McGillivray, than whom we have no more reliable 

 author, records three well-authenticated similar instances. 



Swallows generally leave Great Britain in September in order 

 to seek a milder climate and one providing more abundant food. 

 Some time before their departure their cries are incessant, and 

 great agitation is seen in their ranks; ultimately they assemble 

 in some elevated place, as if to hold council and deliberate over their 

 journey, and fix the date of their departure j finally, on the day 

 appointed for the flitting, all the swallows of the neighbourhood mass 

 at a rendezvous, and after certain evolutions, intended, no doubt, 

 to determine the route, they advance in one mass towards the shores 

 of the Mediterranean, whence they pass into Africa. Although they 

 are of all birds the strongest on the wing and best adapted for a long 

 journey, they cannot accomplish this without rest if adverse winds 

 should arise. Ships passing are frequently boarded by stragglers which 

 alight on the rigging ; and both at Gibraltar and Tangier large flocks 

 are occasionally seen to arrive in a state of great exhaustion. Those 

 stragglers which, through weakness or the duties of maternity, are 

 prevented from joining the great flocks, depart some days later in 

 smaller parties. Occasionally, however, a few individuals seem to 

 remain in England all the year round, contriving to survive the 

 severest winters, which has given rise to the supposition that the 

 Swallow has the power of hibernating or of remaining in a state of 

 torpor during the winter, and returning to animation in the spring. 

 This much-controverted point has now been consigned to the mythical 

 legends to which it belongs. 



Swallows have in all ages possessed the sympathies of mankind, 

 some of the ancients regarding them as sacred birds ; nor are they 

 ungrateful for the good feeling they excite. The services they 

 render in destroying vast quantities of noxious insects, not to speak 

 of their gentle habits, mutual attachment to each other, and the 

 happy presage they bring with them of spring's advent, contribute to 

 make them welcome visitors. Nevertheless, instances do occur where 



