OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS 349 



for who ever saw them reviving of their own accord from,their 

 torpid state, without being first brought to the fire, and, as it 

 were, forced into life again; soon after which revivification 

 they constantly die. MARKWICK. 



SWALLOWS, CONGREGATING AND DISAPPEARANCE OF. 

 During the severe winds that often prevail late in the spring, 

 it is not easy to say how the hirundines subsist ; for they with- 

 draw themselves, and are hardly ever seen, nor do any insects 

 appear for their support. That they can retire to rest, and 

 sleep away these uncomfortable periods, as bats do, is a mat- 

 ter rather to be suspected than proved ; or do they not rather 

 spend their time in deep and sheltered vales near waters, 

 where insects are more likely to be found ? Certain it is, that 

 hardly any individuals of this genus have at such times been 

 seen for several days together. 



September I3th, 1/91. The congregating flocks of hirun- 

 dines on the church and tower are very beautiful and amusing ! 

 When they fly off together from the roof, on any alarm, they 

 quite swarm in the air. But they soon settle in heaps, and 

 preening their feathers, and lifting up their wings to admit the 

 sun, seem highly to enj oy the warm situation. Thus they spend 

 the heat of the day, preparing for their emigration, and, as it 

 were, consulting when and where they are to go. The flight 

 about the church seems to consist chiefly of house-martins, 

 about 400 in number ; but there are other places of rendez- 

 vous about the village frequented at the same time. 



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

 ments and roof, yet many hang or cling for some time by their 

 claws against the surface of the walls, in a manner not prac- 

 tised 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 3rd, 1789. Two swallows were seen this morn- 

 ing at Newton vicarage-house, hovering and settling on the 

 roofs and out-buildings. None have been observed at Sel- 

 borne since October nth. 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 



s 



