T'he Natural History of Se I borne 367 



was a sweet day, and in appearance exactly suited to my 

 wishes, yet not a martin was to be seen ; and so I was forced, 

 reluctantly, to give up the pursuit. 



I have only to add that were the bushes, which cover some 

 acres, and are not my own property, to be grubbed and care- 

 fully examined, probably those late broods, and perhaps the 

 whole aggregate body of the house-martins of this district, 

 might be found there, in different secret dormitories ; and 

 that, so far from withdrawing into warmer climes, it would 

 appear that they never depart three hundred yards from the 

 village. 



