1 32 British Pearl Fishery 



the 1 1th, when the day was also warm, and three swallows on 

 the 1 2th. The 1 ^th was very wet and stormy, but cleared up 

 towards the evening, when I observed four or five swallows 

 and two martens. From this day they retired to terra incog- 

 nita, and I could see them no more. I have to apologise for 

 being thus tediously minute. If the above remarks do not 

 serve in any degree to clear up the difficulties in which the 

 subject is involved, they show at least how these amusing 

 little creatures baffle our researches and enquiries ; for it is 

 difficult to account for the fact of swallows being to be seen 

 here in plenty on the 9th and 11th of October, while not one 

 was to be observed on the 10th, though the weather was fine 

 and warm. What had become of them on this intermediate 

 day, the 10th? Perhaps L. E. O. may be able to elucidate 

 the point. At all events, he will oblige a brother swallow- 

 fancier, by communicating any observations he may have to 

 make on the subject. Yours, &c. 



Allesley Bectory, Nov. 23. 1829. W, T. Bree. 



P. S. — Since writing the above, I have been informed by a 

 friend, on whose accuracy I can fully depend, that a single 

 swallow (H. rustica) was observed flying about the mansion 

 at Packington, six or seven miles hence, on the 6th of No- 

 vember. 



Art. V. Some Account of the British Pearl Fishery tww existing 

 on the Conway, By D. C. 



Sir, 



As it may not be generally known that a pearl fishery exists 

 at the present time in any part of Great Britain, I am in- 

 duced to send you the following particulars for the gratification 

 of your numerous readers : — 



The pearl muscle (-My a margaritifera) is found in abun- 

 dance in the River Conway, in North Wales, and is collected 

 by many of the natives, who obtain their livelihood entirely 

 by their industry in procuring the pearls. When the tide is 

 out, they go in several boats to the bar at the mouth of the 

 river, with their sacks, and gather as many shells as they 

 can before the return of tide. The muscles are then put in a 

 large kettle over a fire to be opened ; and the fish taken out 

 singly from the shells with the fingers, and put into a tub, 

 into which one of the fishers goes bare-footed, and stamps 

 upon them, until they are reduced into a sort of pulp. They 

 next pour in water to separate the fishy substance, which they 

 call solach, from the more heavy parts consisting of sand, 



