LETTER LV 



TO THE SAME 



October 10, 1781. 



DEAR SIR, I think I have observed before that much 

 of the most considerable part of the house-martins withdraw 

 from hence about the first week in October ; but that some, 

 the latter broods I am now convinced, linger on till towards 

 the middle of that month ; and that at times, once perhaps 

 in two or three years, a flight, for one day only, has shown 

 itself in the first week in November. 



Having taken notice in October, 1780, that the last flight 

 was numerous, amounting perhaps to one hundred and 

 fifty ; and that the season was soft and still; I was resolved 

 to pay uncommon attention to these late birds ; to find, if 

 possible, where they roosted, and to determine the precise 

 time of their retreat. The mode of life of these latter 

 hirundines is very favourable to such a design ; for they 

 spend the whole day in the sheltered district, between me 

 and the Hanger, sailing about in a placid, easy manner, and 

 feasting on those insects which love to haunt a spot so 

 secure from ruffling winds. As my principal object was to 

 discover the place of their roosting, I took care to wait on 

 them before they retired to rest, and was much pleased to 

 find that for several evenings together, just at a quarter 

 past five in the afternoon, they all scudded away in great 

 haste towards the south-east, and darted down among the 

 low shrubs above the cottages at the end of the hill. This 

 spot in many respects seemed to be well calculated for their 

 winter residence ; for in many parts it is as steep as the 

 roof of any house, and therefore secure from the annoy- 

 ances of water ; and it is moreover clothed with beechen 



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