356 REPUBLICAN OR CLIFF SWALLOW. 



November 25. — Thermometer this morning at 30°. Ice in New 

 Orleans a quarter of an inch thick The Swallows resorted to the lee of 

 the Cypress Swamp in the rear of the city. Thousands were flying in 

 different flocks. Fourteen were kiUed at a single shot, all in perfect 

 plumage, and very fat. The markets were abundantly supplied with 

 these tender, juicy, and delicious birds. Saw Swallows every day, but 

 remarked them more plentiful the stronger the breeze blew from the sea. 



December 20. — The weather continues much the same. Foggy 

 and drizzly mist. Thermometer averaging 63°. 



January 14. — Thermometer 42°. Weather continues the same. My 

 little favourites constantly in view. 



January 28. — Thermometer at 40°. Having seen the Hirundo viri- 

 dis continually, and the H. purpurea or Purple Martin beginning to 

 appear, I discontinued my observations. 



During the whole winter many of them retired to the holes about the 

 houses, but the greater number resorted to the lakes, and spent the night 

 among the branches of Myrica cerifera, the drier, as it is termed by 

 the French settlers. 



About sunset they began to flock together, calling to each other for 

 that purpose, and in a short time presented the appearance of clouds 

 moving towards the lakes, or the mouth of the Mississippi, as the wea- 

 ther and wind suited. Their aerial evolutions before they alight, are 

 truly beautiful. They appear at first as if reconnoitring the place, 

 when, suddenly throwing themselves into a vortex of apparent confusion, 

 they descend spirally with astonishing quickness, and very much resemble 

 a trombe or water-spout. When within a few feet of the driers, they 

 disperse in all directions, and settle in a few moments. Their twittering, 

 and the motions of their wings, are, however, heard during the whole 

 night. As soon as the day begins to dawn, they rise, flying low over the 

 lakes, almost touching the water for some time, and then rising, gra>- 

 dually move off in search of food, separating in different directions. 

 The hunters who resort to these places destroy great numbers of them, 

 by knocking them down with light paddles, used in propelling their 

 canoes. 



