ClafsII. SWALLOWS. 249 



their conftitutions. That this is the cafe with fome 

 fpecies of European fwallows, has been proved beyond 

 contradiction (as above cited) by M. Adanfon. We 

 often obierve them collected in flocks innumerable on 

 churches, on rocks, and on trees, previous to their 

 departure hence ; and Mr. CGllinfon proves their re- 

 turn here in perhaps equal numbers, by two curious 

 relations of undoubted credit. The one communi- 

 cated to him by Mr. Wright $ mailer of a fhip, the 

 Other by the late Sir Charles Wager, who both def- 

 cribed (to the fame purpofe) what happened to each 

 in their voyages. " Returning home, lays Sir Charles, 

 *' in the fpring of the year, as I came into founding 

 ** in our channel, a great flock of fwallows came and 

 " fettled on all my rigging -, every rope was covered ; 

 " they hung on one another like a fwarm of bees; 

 *' the decks and carving were filled with them* 

 " They feemed almoft famifhed and fpent, and were 

 " only feathers and bones ; but being recruited with 

 " a night's reft, take their flight in the morning *.*' 

 This vail fatigue, proves that their journey mud 

 have been very great, confidering the amazing fwift-- 

 nefs of thefe birds : in all probability they had crofted 

 the Atlantic ocean, and were returning from the mores 

 of Senegal, or ether parts of Africa; fo that this ac- 

 count from that mod able and honed feaman, con- 

 firms the later information of M. Adanfon. 



The fecond notion has great antiquity on its fide, 

 Ariflotlef and Pliny J give, as their belief, that fvval- 



* Phil, tranf. 'vol. li. part 2. p. 4^9. 

 T Hi ft. an. 935. 

 % Lib. 10. c. 24. 



S lows 



