O3SE21 VA TIONS ON BIRDS. 329 



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 

 frequented at the same time. 



It is remarkable that though most of them sit on the 

 battlements 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 3rd, 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 llth. 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 in the 

 interval 1 For we cannot suppose they had emigrated 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 

 phalsenae and moths are stirring. 



These swallows looked like young ones. WHITE. 



Of their migration the proofs are such as will scarcely 

 admit of a doubt. Sir Charles Wager and Captain Wright 

 saw vast flocks of them at sea, when on their passage from 



