'2 JO LETTEIt XL!. 



than the situation of countries; and that they remove 

 from a colder to a warmer climate, or the reverse, as 

 the state of the air and their own feelings give the 

 impulse and direction. 



The migrations of the. swallow and the cnckoo, 

 have been particularly noticed by every writer on 

 ornithology, and various opinions have been formed 

 respecting their disappearance, and the state in which 

 they subsist (hiring that interval. 



However, after all the enquiries of naturalists into 

 this mysterious branch of animal oeconomy, the sub- 

 ject remains involved in no small degree of obscurity ; 

 and, after all our researches, we are not yet certain 

 into what regions of the globe these birds emigrate. 

 You will not, therefore, be displeased, if I close the 

 subject with these beautiful Ymvs of the poet: 



" Amusive birds say where your hid retreat, 

 When the frost rages and the tempests beat ; 

 Whence your return by such nice instinct led, 

 When spring, sweet season ! lifts her bloomy head ? 

 Such baffled searches mock mail's prying pride j 

 The God of Nature is your secret guide." 



Leaving you for a while in expectation of the en- 

 tertainment you will find in contemplating so beauti- 

 ful and so curious a branch of animated nature as the 

 leathered part of the creation, I shall for the present 

 conclude, with assuring you, that with every senti- 

 ment of affectionate respect, 



I am, dear Sir, 



Your's, &e; 



