WINTERING OF SWALLOW TRIBE IN S. HANTS. 229 



23rd. — Wind W., mild and showery. Two Swallows hawking 

 vigorously for food over the stream. 



24th. — Wind S.W. One Swallow seen, and this appears 

 to be the young bird, as it has several whitish (or greyish) 

 feathers on the rump, and in the tail. 



25th. — Strong S.E. wind. One bird still strong on the wing. 



26th. — Fierce gale from S.W., with heavy rain. One Swallow 

 braving the blast, though finding great difficulty in beating against 

 the wind up-stream. 



27th. — Brighter day. Wind W.N.W. Same bird present (by 

 markings), strong in flight, and seemingly quite at home, and in 

 no hurry to depart. 



28th. — Strong squally S.W. wind, with rain. Bird to-day 

 seemed weary, and frequently settled to rest on wire-fence ; ap- 

 peared to find a difficulty in facing the wind. 



29th. — Bright day. Wind N.E. Bird feeding as usual. 



30th. — Cold, raw day. Wind due S. Bird still present. 



Dec. 1st. — Weather bright. Wind N.W. Bird strong on 

 wing. 



2nd to 4th. — Fine mild weather. Wind N.E, Bird vigorously 

 feeding and strong. 



5th. — Very mild. Wind S. Missed bird to-day for first time. 

 Has it departed or died ? 



6th. — A changeable, mild day. Wind N.E. Much surprised 

 to-day to find the Swallow back again over the stream, and quite 

 lively. No doubt yesterday the weather had tempted the bird 

 to leave the stream, and go on a foraging expedition farther 

 afield. I was quite delighted to find the bird was still alive, and 

 in its usual haunts. 



7th. — Fine day. S.W. wind. Bird very fit and vigorous. 



8th. — As yesterday. N.W. wind. Bird flying strongly, and 

 making excursions across the fields away from the water. To-day 

 winter and summer seemed strangely blended, for, while the 

 Swallow was gaily skimming over the surface of the water, the 

 Grey Wagtails from the northern districts were taking short 

 flights, and hovering over the siream for instants to snap up the 

 gnats from the surface, displaying their long white tail-feathers 

 in the action, and then fluttering with a cheery " chiss-up ! 

 chiss-up !" to the weedy margin again. 



