E 2 92 ] 



€l Ride in the whirlwind, and enjoy the ltorm." 



They never fly, however, at this time, from point 

 to point, but only tumble in the air, merely for their 

 diverfion. 



It feems, therefore, that birds are by no means 

 calculated for flights acrofs oceans, for which they 

 have no previous practice : and they are, in fact, al- 

 ways fo fatigued, that, when they meet a fhip at fea, 

 they forget all apprehenfions, and deliver themfelves 

 up to the failors. 



Let us now confider another objection to the mi- 

 gration of the fwallow, which Monf. de BufFon fup~ 

 pofes may crofs the Atlantic to the Line in eight 

 days * 5 and this not only from the want of reft, but of 

 food, during the paffage. 



A fwallow, indeed, feeds on the wing: but where 

 is it to find any infects, whilfl it is flying over a wide 

 expanfe of fea ? This bird, therefore, if it ever at- 

 tempted fo adventurous a pafTage, would foon feel 

 a want of food, and return again to land, where it 

 had met with a conftant fupply from minute to 

 minute. 



I am aware it may be here objected, that the 

 fwallow leaves us on the approach of winter, when 

 foon no flying infects can be procured : but I (hall 

 hereafter endeavour to fhew, that thefe birds are then 

 torpid, and, confequently, can want no fuch food. 



Another objection remains to the hypothefis of 

 migration, which is, that birds, when flying from 



* Difcours fur la nature ctes oifeaux, p, 32. 



point 



