228 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



about, and hawking for food over a stream in the locality, quite 

 near to the town, on December 30th. This at the time was 

 thought to constitute a record, but during the following years 

 much later records have resulted. The next year (1904) Swallows 

 (Hirundo rustica) remained well on into November, but during 

 1905 and 1906 the birds remained abnormally late. 



First take 1905. Swallows and Martins, in fair numbers, 

 remained on after the general southern exodus was over. Here 

 follow the observations copied from my diary. 



On Nov. 18th six Swallows and one Sand-Martin were observed 

 vigorously feeding, and very strong on the wing. The day was 

 very cold, and a keen N.E. wind was blowing. I mention the 

 direction of the wind as it had been blowing from a northerly 

 point (N.E., N.W., or N.) from the 13th inst. ; so that the birds 

 had not apparently lingered because the ivind ivas not in the 

 direction most generally thought to be suitable to migration. There 

 had been ample time and opportunity for departure. 



On Nov. 19th five Sivalloivs were observed — two adult birds 

 and three young ones. The wind was still N.E. The Sand- 

 Martin seen on the 18th had disappeared. 



The 20th was a bright day, with a cold, raw, frosty air, with 

 wind due north. During the night there had been a keen frost, 

 and the ground was white with hoar-frost. One Swallow only 

 was seen — an adult bird. The others may have been in the 

 locality, but were not seen, as the observation was made at dusk, 

 and the birds may have gone to roost for the night. 



21st. — Two Sivalloics sporting about to-day, and very strong 

 on the wing, although there had been ten degrees of frost during 

 the night ; the roads were frozen hard, and the puddles and 

 ditches thick with ice, though the streams were not frozen over. 

 The birds occasionally rested on a wire-fence by the side of the 

 stream, and preened their feathers as though the weather was 

 mid-May instead of winter. The wind was N.W. One of the 

 birds noted to-day was adult, and the other appeared a young 

 one, and in immature plumage. 



22nd. — Sudden change in weather — wind S.W., and a mild 

 showery day. During the night eight degrees of frost had been 

 registered, yet two Sicallows remained — to all appearance, the 

 same as seen yesterday. 



