322 BLUE-BIRD. 



theless a fact that it is performed. If we suppose the Blue-bird 

 in this case to fly only at the rate of a mile per minute, which 

 is less than I have actually ascertained him to do over land, ten 

 or eleven hours would be sufficient to accomplish the journey; 

 besides the chances he would have of resting places by the way, 

 from the number of vessels that generally navigate those seas. 

 In like manner two days at most, allowing for numerous stages 

 for rest, would conduct him from the remotest regions of Mexico 

 to any part of the Atlantic states. When the natural history of 

 that part of the continent and its adjacent isles, are better known, 

 and the periods at which its birds of passage arrive and depart, 

 are truly ascertained, I have no doubt but these suppositions 

 will be fully corroborated. 



