298 SWALLOWS. 



drawn by the twittering of these birds, which sat 

 motionless in a row on the bough, with their 

 heads all one way, and, by their weight, pressing 

 down the twig so that it nearly touched the water. 

 In this situation he watched them till he could 

 see no longer. Repeated accounts of this sort, 

 spring and fall, induce us greatly to suspect that 

 house -swallows have some strong attachment to 

 water, independent of the matter of food; and, 

 though they may not retire into that element, yet 

 they may conceal themselves in the banks of 

 pools and rivers during the uncomfortable months 

 of winter l . 



and confined swallows in different ways under snow and ice, 

 and in an ice-house. The result, however, was always death, 

 when the temperature and period of immersion were pro- 

 longed beyond a certain period ; and the conclusion he draws 

 is, that at least our species of hirundinidce did not become 

 torpid. W. J. 



*" Swallows, congregating and disappearance of, from Mis- 

 cellaneous Observations : 



" During the severe winds that often prevail late in 

 spring, it is not easy to say how the hirundines subsist, 

 for the withdrawing themselves is hardly ever seen ; nor 

 do any insects appear for their support. That they can 

 retire, to rest and sleep away those uncomfortable periods, 

 as bats do, is a matter rather to be suspected than proved : 

 or do they not rather spend their time in deep and shel- 

 tered vales, near waters, where insects are more likely to 

 be found ? Certain it is, that hardly any individuals of 

 this genus have, at such times, been seen for several days 

 together. 



" September 13, 1791. The congregating flocks of 

 hirundines on the church and tower are very beautiful and 

 amusing. When they fly off together on any alarm, they 

 quite swarm in the air ; but they soon settle into heaps, 

 and preening their feathers, and lifting up their wings to 

 admit the sun, seem highly to enjoy the warm situation. 

 Thus they spend the heat of the day, preparing for their 

 emigration, and, as it were, consulting when and where 

 they are to go. The flight about the church seems to 



