MIGRATION. 257 



out the uncomfortable months of winter. But sup- 

 posing that the examination would be made to the 

 best advantage in the spring, and observing that no 

 swallows had appeared by the llth of April last, on 

 that day I employed some men to explore the shrubs 

 and cavities of the suspected spot. The persons took 

 pains, but without any success ; however, a remark- 

 able instance occurred in the midst of our pursuit ; 

 while the labourers were at work, a window-swallow, 

 the first that had been seen this year, came down the 

 village in the sight of several people, and went at 

 once to a nest, where it staid a short time, and then 

 flew over the houses ; for some days after, no swallows 

 were observed, not till the 16th of April, and then 

 only a pair *." 



The Rev. W. T. Bree, an excellent observer, who 

 has for many years attended to the arrival and de- 

 parture of swallows, seems to incline to a similar 

 opinion with that of White. There can be no question 

 indeed about the fact of some few swallows appearing 

 early in April, and even in March, before the general 

 flight arrive a fact which is recorded in the proverb, 

 that " one swallow does not make summer," common 

 to most languages f. This is a circumstance, ac- 

 cording to these naturalists, " much more in favour 

 of hiding; than migration, since it is more probable 

 that a bird should retire to its hybernaculum, just at 

 hand, than return for a week or two only to warmer 

 latitudes." After a review of all the facts bearing on 

 the case, Mr. Bree concludes that, " however far they 



* Letter 95. 



f The Greeks have M/a %txd&v sag 5 vow ; the Latins, " Una 

 hirundo non facitver;" the French, " Une hirondelle ne fait pas 

 le printems;" the Germans, " Eine schwalbe macht keinen 

 friihling;" the Dutch, " Een swaiuw maakt geen zomer;" the 

 Swedes, (i En svala go'r ingen sommar; " the Spanish, " Una 

 golondrina no hace verano ;" the Italians, le Una rondine non fa 

 primavera." Foster on Swallows, p, 10, note. 



