140 BIRDS. 



with the dictates of nature, in rearing their young, and 

 enabling them to provide for themselves, the connection^ 

 both between the parents and the offspring, immediately 

 ceases, and perhaps is never again renewed. The ex- 

 pressions of pleasure are then suspended, and silence 

 broods over the groves, so full of melody before. Few 

 birds, indeed, cheer us with their song beyond this 

 period * ; and such as continue their warblings during the 

 autumnal and winter months are the deserved favourites 

 of man. Among these, the robin-red-breast has long 

 been consecrated to the domestic affections ; and is at 

 ojice the sweetest songster of the fall of the year, and 

 the most innocent and familiar among all the winged 

 tribes. The moulting-season quickly follows that of in- 

 cubation, and of rearing the young. It generally takes 

 place about the end of summer, so that birds are equipped 

 in full plumage before the severe weather sets in ; this 

 change, however, is always attended with circumstances 

 of pain and dejection. 



Towards autumn, many species of birds begin to col- 

 lect in flocks, and to leave this country for some places 

 beyond sea ; impelled to it by the love of a warmer 

 climate, or by hopes of more plentiful food. Though 

 nothing, perhaps, has more excited the curiosity and 

 exercised the speculation of naturalists than these migra- 

 tory excursions, few subjects continue so much involved 

 in obscurity. 



The place from which some kinds of birds come, and 

 to which they again retire, is still unknown, notwith- 

 standing the improved state of geographical and natural 

 knowledge ; but of all subjects that have perplexed and 

 bewildered ornithologists, the disappearance of swallows 

 is the most remarkable. Some contend that they retire 

 to the warm climates of Africa ; others, that they lie 

 torpid in caves, old walls, or hollow trees ; while, as if 

 to try how far human credulity can go, there are not 



* Few birds sing after the end of June. 



