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somewhat, I presume, upon the season, although, from observations made in the county 

 of "Wentworth in 1874, the birds can take care of themselves even when caught by the 

 most severe weather after their arrival here. In this year (1874) the birds arrived in the 

 town of Dundas on the 15th day of April and took possession of their usual nesting- 

 places in boxes which had been put up for and used by them for some years, and in 

 certain holes under eaves that they also were in the habit of occupying, and they devoted 

 themselves as usual to hawking for insects about the streets. The weather on this day 

 was mild, but that night it turned cold and we had hard frosts and snow until the 22nd of 

 April, when it became warm and the birds reappeared, having been in the meantime six 

 days closely huddled up in their old nests — not torpid, for they chirped and would slightly 

 move if their box was touched or opened. They, however, lived through this, and on this 

 22nd of April came out and flew about as hungry and lively as usual for a day or two, 

 when another cold snap occurred and they again betook themselves to their boxes 

 until after the 27th of April, when they again came out and were not further troubled by 

 the weather for that year.' 



" I wfll only remark on this account that it appears to have been accurately made 

 and that it unites with a class of circumstances which give rise to the exploded theory 

 of the hibernation of Swallows to indicate that they are possessed of some habits and 

 powers of which we have as yet but slight knowledge, and which are deserving of a 

 careful investigation." 



The accompanying note is from the pen of Mr. Maynard : — " They invariably flock 

 to places where accommodations are provided for tbem and avoid all others. The 

 offspring of those which have inhabited a certain locality will also return and take 

 up their abode there, so that a number of apartments in one box will be constantly 

 occupied. If other domiciles are erected quite near the same spot they will be inhabited, 

 but it is extremely difficult to induce these birds to enter a new house if it stands a mile 

 or more from those occupied by the colony ; they, therefore, are extremely local in their 

 distribution. I know of localities where Martins have bred for years, while they could 

 never be induced to remain in another section which was but a mile distant, although I 

 erected houses in suitable situations. They frequently appeared there in spring, but 

 after examining the place and flying about for a day or two, invariably returned to the 

 old locality. Although fond of any particular spot they may be easily driven from it. 

 If a few birds are shot in early spring upon their arrival, the survivors wall disappear 

 and cannot be persuaded to reinhabit the house from which they have been expelled, 

 even after the ktpse of many years. Accidents occurring, which are detrimental to them, 

 although not caused through the agency of man, appear to produce the same effect. 

 Some years ago the Purple Martins, which bred in many boxes in Cambridge, arrived 

 from the south quite early, induced by unusually warm weather, and took possession of 

 their respective domiciles, but unfortunately the instincts which prompted them to 

 come north so soon were at fault, for they were scarcely established in their summer 

 houses when a prolonged cold snap came on and many of the poor Martins were frozen 



