212 History of Nature. [BooK X. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



Of the Hirundo, Merula, Turdus, Sturnus, Turtur, and 

 Palumbus. 



THE Hirundo 1 also (the only Birds among those that have 

 not crooked Claws, which feed upon Flesh) are gone from 

 us all the Winter. But they go no further than to neigh- 

 bouring Places, where they follow the sunny Recesses of the 

 Mountains, and where many Times they are found naked, 

 and without Feathers. It is said they never build under any 

 Roof in Thebes, because that City had often been taken ; 

 nor at Bizia in Thrace, on Account of the Wickedness of 

 Tereus. Ccecina of Volaterrae, of the Equestrian Order, and 

 Master of the Chariots, was accustomed to bring with him 

 into the City a Number of these Swallows, which he sent off 

 to his Friends as Messengers of Victory; and they would 

 return to the same Nest from which they were taken, 

 smeared over with the Colour of Victory. Also Fabius Pictor 

 reporteth in his Annals, that when a Roman Garrison was 

 besieged by the Ligustini, a Swallow was taken from her 

 little ones and brought to him, that by the Number of Knots 

 in a Thread tied to her Foot he should signify to them on 

 what Day they ought to make a Sally to meet the coming 

 Help. 



Merulae, 2 Turdi, and Sturni, after the same manner, quit 

 us for the neighbouring Places. But these do not cast their 

 Feathers, nor lie hid ; but are seen often in Places where 

 they seek Meat to serve them in Winter. And therefore 

 Turdi are chiefly seen in Germany in Winter. 



The Turtle more truly hides herself, and sheds her 

 Plumage. 



Palumbes also leave us, but where they go is uncertain. 



1 The Swallow tribe. See Chap, xxxiii. Wern. Club. 



2 Turdus merula, LINN. ; the Blackbird. Turdi : Turdus musicus, the 

 Thrush; and perhaps, also, T. Iliacus, LINN.; the Redwing. Sturni: 

 Sturnus vulgaris, LINN.; the Starling. Wern. Club. 



