l*}6 THE COMMON HERRING. 



these, the immense flocks of sea-fowl that inhabit 

 the polar regions watch their outset, and spread 

 devastation on all sides. 



In their ouset, this immense swarm of living crea- 

 tures is divided into distinct columns of five or six 

 miles in length, and three or four in breadth, and in 

 their progress they make even the water ripple be- 

 fore them. 



They are found about Shetland in June, from 

 whence they proceed down to the Orkneys, and then, 

 dividing, surround the islands of Great Britain and 

 Ireland, and unite again off the LandVend in the 

 British Channel in September; from whence the 

 great united body steers south-west, and is not found 

 any more on that side, or in the Atlantic, until the 

 same time in the ensuing year, but next appear on 

 the American coasts. They arrive in Georgia and 

 Carolina about the latter end of January, and in 

 Virginia in February. From hence they coast east- 

 ward to New England. They then divide, and go 

 into all the bays, rivers, creeks, and even small 

 streams of water, in amazing quantities^ and con- 

 tinue spawning in the fresh water till the latter end 

 of April, when the old fish return into the sea, where 

 they change theirlatitudcs by a northward direction, 

 and arrive at Newfoundland in May. After this 

 thev are no more seen in America till the following: 

 spring. Their passing sooner or later up the Ame- 

 rican rivers depends on the warmth of the season ; 

 and even if a few warm days invite them up, and 

 cool weather succeeds, their passage is immediately 

 checked till the heat becomes more powerful. Thus. 



