SWALLOW, 243 



weather is hazy, Swallows, Martins, Swifts, and other birds, 

 are accustomed to alight on their boats at the distance of 

 three or four leagues from land, either singly or in small 

 flocks ; at which time they appear so much fatigued, that the 

 Swallow is often only able to fly from one end of the boat 

 to the other, when an attempt is made to seize it. The 

 Swallow and Martin come either singly or in small parties, 

 and if they do not happen to be our own residents, soon 

 pass on to their accustomed haunts ; so that after two or 

 three have been seen, it may perhaps be a fortnight before 

 others make their appearance. In 1831 a single Swallow 

 was seen by a fisherman near the Eddystone on the 4th of 

 April ; four were seen on the 13th at sea, flying low, and 

 making towards the land at three o'clock P.M. Two 

 Martins were also seen on the 16th ; but the first of either 

 of these that I saw was on the 19th. Swallows and Martins 

 continued to fly on board fishing-boats, at the distance of 

 ten leagues from land, through the whole of May ; my 

 last note of that circumstance being so late as the 28th of 

 that month. There are rarely more than two or three in 

 a company ; and considering that the Wheatear and Wil- 

 low Warbler cross in safety, the state of fatigue in which 

 they are seen is remarkable. One man informs me that 

 in fine weather he has often seen them drop on the water, 

 flat, and with wings expanded, and presently after fly off 

 again, as if refreshed." The fact of the Swallow settling 

 on the sea and flying up again, has been seen, also, and 

 recorded by Mr. Audubon. 



The migration of Swallows and Martins being in a di- 

 rection nearly due north and south, those referred to in the 

 extract from the communication of the Prince Charles 

 Bonaparte, had been driven by the gale from the east far 

 to the west of their true course. Gilbert White, in his 

 ninth letter to the Hon. Daines Barrington, says, "It does 



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