The Natural History of Set home 437 



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 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 n. 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 in the interval? For we cannot suppose 

 they had emigrated 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 

 phalaenoe 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 de- 

 scribed at p. 259 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 ; particularly I once observed a large stock 

 of house-martins on the roof of the church here at Catsfield, 

 which acted exactly in the manner here described by Mr. 

 White, sometimes preening their feathers and spreading their 

 wings to the sun, and then flying off all together, but soon 

 returning to their former situation. The greatest part of 

 these birds seem to be young ones. MARKWICK. 



