420 OBSERVATIONS ON 



church seems to consist chiefly of house martins, about 400 

 in number : but there are other places of rendezvous 

 about the village frequented at the same time. 



It is remarkable, that though most of them sit on the 

 battlements and roof, yet many hang or cling for some 

 time by their claws against the surface of the walls, in a 

 manner not practised by them at any other time of their 

 remaining with us. 



The swallows seem to delight more in holding their 

 assemblies on trees. 



November 3, 1789. Two swallows were seen this 

 morning at Newton vicarage-house, hovering and settling 

 on the roofs and out-buildings. None have been observed 

 at Selborne since October 11. It is very remarkable, that 

 after the hirundines have disappeared for some weeks, a 

 few are occasionally seen again : sometimes, in the first 

 week in November, and that only for one day. Do they 

 not withdraw and slumber in some hiding place during the 

 interval .'' for we cannot suppose they had migrated to 

 warmer climes and so returned again for one day. Is it 

 not more probable that they are awakened from sleep, and 

 like the bats are come forth to collect a little food ? Bats 

 appear at all seasons through the autumn and spring 

 months, when the thermometer is at 50, because then 

 phalaenae and moths are stirring. 



These swallows looked like young ones. 



WAGTAILS 



While the cows are feeding in moist low pastures, 

 broods of wagtails, white and grey, run round them, close 

 up to their noses, and under their very bellies, availing 

 themselves of the flies that settle on their legs, and 

 probably finding worms and larvae that are roused by the 

 trampling of their feet. Nature is such an oeconomist, 

 that the most incongruous animals can avail themselves of 

 each other ! 



Interest makes strange friendships. 



