336 OUE NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



on roofs of houses. How long it takes to get the 

 assembly together ! and, if we may infer anything 

 from the perpetual noise, how many consultations 

 seem necessary as to their mode of travelling, or 

 their future prospect! At length tlie clamour 

 ceases, and we look out on some morning to find 

 that the swallows are all gone, perhaps to the east 

 or west, to await the coming of some which may 

 yet be lingering from carelessness or infirmity; but 

 at lengtli they are all gone away to the sunny south, 

 and though some may remain on the southern shores 

 of Spain, yet Africa is their grand winter dwelling- 

 place. They have been often seen, both in autumn 

 and in spring, crossing the Mediterranean, some- 

 times taking a short rest on the rigging of the ships, 

 and even resting there a day or two to recover 

 strength. !Now and then they drop into the sea, 

 and go on again, refreshed by their salt-water 

 bath. But so strong is the desire at this season 

 to go to warmer regions, that the bird surmounts 

 all obstacles, and even forgets its young. Instances 

 have been known in which the second brood was 

 hatched so late in the season, that the swallows, 

 whose care for their young is usually most in- 

 cessant and affectionate, have gone and left their 



