332 OBSERVATIONS ON 



day, preparing for their emigration, and, as it were, consulting 

 when and where they are to go. The flight about the church 

 seems to consist chiefly of house-martins, about 400 in number : 

 but there are other places of rendezvous about the village fre- 

 quented at the same time. 



It is remarkable, that though most of them sit on the battle- 

 ments 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 assemblies 

 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 11. It is very remarkable, that after the hirundines 

 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 during the interval ? for we cannot suppose they had 

 migrated 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 phalcence and moths are 

 stirring. 



These swallows looked like young ones. 



WAGTAILS. 



While the cows are feeding in moist low pastures, broods 

 of wagtails, white and grey, run round them, close up to their 

 noses, and under their very bellies, availing themselves of the 

 flies that settle on their legs, and probably finding worms and larvce 

 that are roused by the trampling of their feet. Nature is such 

 an oeconomist, that the most incongruous animals can avail them- 

 selves of each other ! Interest makes strange friendships. 



WRYNECK. 



These birds appear on the grass-plots and walks ; they walk a 

 little as well as hop, and thrust their bills into the turf, in quest, 



