SWALLOW. 237 



following are extracts. " Having been favoured by my 

 friend Captain Graves, R. N., with an invitation to accom- 

 pany him during the projected government survey of 

 the island of Candia, I, with Mr. E. Forbes, who had 

 received from the Admiralty the honorary appointment of 

 Naturalist on the occasion, left Malta, in H. M. S. Beacon 

 on the 21st of April. The first port we sailed for was 

 Navarino, for the purpose of watering the ship. The 

 passage occupied seven days. It being just the period of 

 the year when many species of birds which make Europe 

 their abode only in the more genial seasons, were, after 

 having passed the winter in Africa, crossing the Mediter- 

 ranean to their summer quarters, we were often gratified 

 by a sight of them, either passing, resting briefly on the 

 rigging, or remaining sometimes so long as a day or more 

 about the ship." 



" April 22nd. Wind W., forty miles E. of Malta. 

 Two Swallows remained some time about the ship, perch- 

 ing on the rigging, and hawking over the deck in pursuit 

 of flies." 



"April 25th. Wind N. E., fifty-eight miles from 

 Calabria, the nearest land; one hundred and thirty-five 

 miles from Mount Etna at sunset, when it was visible. 

 Several Swallows about the ship." 



" April 26th. Wind N. E., eighty-six miles from 

 Zante, the nearest land ; one hundred and thirty miles 

 from Navarino. Several Swallows about the vessel during 

 the day, and some remained, perching upon one of the 

 boats throughout the night." 



"April 27th. Wind N., forty-five miles from Zante, 

 the nearest land, and in sight ; sixty miles W. of the 

 Morea. About a dozen Swallows which rested last night 

 in the rigging, went off this morning. Throughout the 



