OF NATURE. 445 



tins, about 400 in number : but there are other places of ren- 

 dezvous about the village frequented at the same time. 



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

 tlements 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 assem- 

 blies 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 hirun- 

 dines 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 pha- 

 laense and moths are stirring. 



These swallows looked like young ones. WHITE. 



Of their migration the proofs are such as will scarcely admit 

 of a doubt. Sir Charles Wager and Captain Wright saw vast 

 flocks of them at sea, when on their passage from one country 

 to another. Our author, Mr. White, saw what he deemed the 

 actual migration of these birds, and which he has described at 

 p. 65 of his History of Selborne ; and of their congregating 

 together on the roofs of churches and other buildings, and on 

 trees, previous to their departure, many instances occur ; par- 

 ticularly I once observed a large flock of house-martins on 

 the roof of the church here at Catsfield, which acted exactly 

 in the manner here described by Mr. White, sometimes preen- 

 ing their feathers and spreading their wings to the sun, and 

 then flying off all together, but soon returning to their former 



