SWALLOWS. 535 



perty, 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, intrenching itself in its fort, 

 and in revenge the ousted Swallows brought mud in their bills, 

 and actually walled up the entrance 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. McGil- 

 livray, than whom we have no more reliable author, records three 

 well- authenticated similar instances. 



The Swallow generally leaves us in the month of September in 

 order to seek a milder climate, and one providing more abundant 

 food in winter. Some time before their departure their cries are in- 

 cessant, and great agitation is seen in their ranks ; they assemble in 

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

 journey, and fix the date of their departure; finally, a day is 

 decided on, which when it arrives, all the Swallows of the neigh- 

 bourhood mass at an appointed place, 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 accom- 

 plish this without rest if adverse winds should arise. Ships 

 passing are frequently boarded by stragglers which light on 

 the rigging ; and both at Gibraltar and Tangiers 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 with us all the year round, contriving to survive 

 the most severe 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 con- 

 signed among the mythical legends to which it belongs. 



Swallows have in all ages possessed the sympathies of man- 

 kind, some of the ancients regarding them as sacred birds ; nor 

 are they ungrateful for the good feeling they excite. The 



