418 BARN SWALLOW. 



About the middle of August, the old and young birds form more ex- 

 tensive associations, flying about in loose flocks, which are continually in- 

 creasing, and alighting in groups on tall trees, churches, court-houses, or 

 barns, where they may be seen for hours pluming and dressing themselves, 

 or removing the small insects which usually infest them. At such times 

 they chirp almost continually, and make saUies of a few hundred yards, 

 returning to the same place. These meetings and rambles often occupy a 

 fortnio-ht, but generally by the 10th of September great flocks have set 

 out for the south, while others are seen arriving from the north. The 

 dawn of a fair morning is the time usually chosen by these birds for their 

 general departure, which T have no reason to believe is prevented by a 

 contrary wind. They are seen moving off without rising far above the 

 tops of the trees or towns over which they pass ; aud I am of opinion 

 that most of those large parties usually migrate either along the shores of 

 the Atlantic, or along the course of large streams, such places being most 

 Hkely to afford them suitable retreats at night, when they betake them- 

 selves to the reeds and other tail grasses, whenever it is convenient to 

 do so, although I have witnessed their migration during a fine clear and 

 quiet evening. Should they meet with a suitable spot, they ahght close 

 together, and for a while twitter loudly, as if to invite approaching flocks 

 or stragglers to join them. In such places I have seen great flocks of 

 this species in East Florida ; — and here, reader, I may tell you that the fogs 

 of that latitude seem not unfrequently to bewilder their whole phalanx. 

 One morning, whilst on board the United States Schooner " Spark," Lieu- 

 tenant commandant Piercey and the officers directed my attention to some 

 immense flocks of these birds flying only a few feet above the water for 

 nearly an hour, and moving round the vessel as if completely lost. But 

 when the morning is clear, these Swallows rise in a spiral manner from 

 the reeds to the height of thirty or forty yards, extend their ranks, and 

 continue their course. 



I found flocks of Barn Swallows near St Augustine for several days 

 in succession, until the beginning of December ; but after the first frost 

 none were to be seen. These could not have removed many degrees 

 farther south for want of proper food, and I suspect that numbers of them 

 spend the whole winter along the south coast of the Gulf of Mexico. 



The flight of this species is not less interesting than any other of its 

 characteristics. It probably surpasses in speed that of any other species 

 of the feathered tribes, excepting the Humming Bird. In fine calm weather 



