VAEIOUS PARTS OF NATURE 331 



March 21, 1790. A single bank or sand martin was seen 

 hovering and playing round the sand-pit at Short Heath, where 

 in the summer they abound. 



April 9, 1793. A sober hind assures us, that this day, on Wish- 

 hanger common, between Hedleigh and Frinsham, he saw several 

 bank-martins playing in and out, and hanging before some nest 

 holes in a sand-hill, where these birds usually nestle. 



This incident confirms my suspicions that this species of hirundo 

 is to be seen first of any ; and gives great reason to suppose that 

 they do not leave their wild haunts at all, but are secreted amidst 

 the clefts and caverns of those abrupt cliffs, where they usually 

 spend their summers. 



The late severe weather considered, it is not very probable that 

 these birds should have migrated so early from a tropical region, 

 through all these cutting winds and pinching frosts : but it is 

 easy to suppose that they , may, like bats and flies, have been 

 awakened by the influence of the sun, amidst their secret latebrcB, 

 where they have spent the uncomfortable, foodless months in a 

 torpid state, and the profoundest of slumbers. 



There is a large pond at Wish-hanger, which induces these 

 sand-martins to frequent that district. For I have ever remarked 

 that they haunt near great waters, either rivers or lakes. 



SWALLOWS, CONGREGATING AND DISAPPEAR- 

 ANCE OF. 



During the severe winds that often prevail late in the spring, it 

 is not easy to say how the hirundines subsist : for they withdraw 

 themselves, and are hardly ever seen, nor do any insects appear 

 for their support. That they can retire to rest, and sleep away 

 these uncomfortable periods, as the bats do, is a matter rather to be 

 suspected than proved : or do they not rather spend their time in 

 deep and sheltered vales near waters, where insects are more 

 likely to be found ? Certain it is, that hardly any individuals of 

 this genus have at such times been seen for several days together. 



September 13, 1791. The congregating flocks of hirundines 

 on the church and tower are very beautiful and amusing ! When 

 they fly off all together from the roof, on any alarm, they quite 

 swarm in the air. But they soon settle in heaps, and preening their 

 feathers, and lifting up their wings to admit the sun, seem highly 

 to enjoy the warm situation. Thus they spend the heat of the 



