8 



having a number of Swallows gather round him ; often I have thought that more than 

 a hundred were before my horse at one time ; but, from the rapidity of their motions, it 

 is impossible to count them. I have also noticed individuals of the four most common 

 species of Swallow following me together ; but after sunset, and when the other species 

 have long forsaken the grass plains for the shelter of trees and houses, this diminutive 

 Swallow continues to keep the traveller company. At such a time, as they glide about 

 in the dusk of evening conversing together in low tremulous tones, they have a pecu- 

 liarly sorrowful appearance, seeming like homeless little wanderers over the great level 

 plains. 



" When the season of migration approaches, they begin to congregate in parties not 

 very large (though sometimes as many as one or two hundred are seen together) ; these 

 companies spend much of their time perched close together on weeds, low trees, fences, 

 or other slightly elevated situations, and pay very little attention to a person approach- 

 ing, but seem preoccupied or preyed upon by some anxiety that has no visible cause. 



" This time immediately preceding the departure of the Swallows is indeed a season 

 of deep interest to the observer of nature. The birds seem to forget their songs and 

 aerial recreations ; the attachment of the sexes, the remembrance of the spring is 

 obliterated ; they already begin to feel the premonitions of that marvellous instinct that 

 urges them hence : not yet an irresistible impulse, it is a vague sense of disquiet ; but 

 its influence is manifest in their language and gestures, their wild manner of flight, and 

 listless intervals. 



" The little Atticora cyanoleuca disappears immediately after the other larger species. 

 Many stragglers continue to be seen after the departure of the main body ; but before 

 the middle of March not one remains, the migration of this species being very regular." 



The descriptions are taken from the series in the British Museum, and the adult is 

 figured from a Colombian specimen in Mr. Wyatt's possession, the young bird from a 

 Pelotas skin in the Salvin-Godman collection. The Argentine fishing-cart is from a 

 drawing of Mr. Vidal's. 



