WINTERING OF SWALLOW TRIBE IN S. HANTS. 231 



(northward), and the Swallow probably one of the five seen 

 yesterday; but this interesting fact is worth special note— that 

 four of the latter have disappeared with a N.W. wind, and the two 

 Martins have arrived ; but why should one Stvallow remain and 

 the others depart ? The two Martins may have travelled south- 

 ward with yesterday's N.W. wind, and have chosen to rest and 

 recuperate here, and then pass on, but later observations, it will 

 be seen, prove that they did not proceed farther, nor shoiv any 

 desire to do so. 



Dee. 1st. — Strong N.W. wind. One Swallow only seen, strong 

 and fit. 



2nd. — Two Sand-Martins and one Swallow. - 



4th. — Wind N.W. ; mild day. One Swallow only seen. 



5th.— Wind N.W. ; much colder. Two Sand-Martins, but no 

 Swallow. 



Note. — It will be observed that on some days the Swallow only 

 was seen, and on other days the Martins were seen by themselves ; 

 while frequently the two species would be together disporting 

 themselves over the water. No doubt when they were not all 

 together the absent ones had gone farther afield in search of 

 food, or taken longer flights around the district, thus accounting 

 for their apparent departure, as was proved on succeeding days 

 by their reappearance. 



6th. — Wind N.E. One Swallow, two Sand-Martins. 



7th. — Wind N.E. Four degrees of frost, white- rimy frost 

 this morning, and roads coated with ice. The three birds (both 

 species) in evidence. The Sand-Martins are vigorous, but the 

 Swallow seems very feeble, flying with evident labour just over 

 the surface of the water, occasionally dipping its beak into the 

 stream, and picking off an insect. 



N.B. — From this date forward the observations, it will be 

 seen, are almost a counterpart of those of 1905, and it is these 

 facts which are so very interesting, and constitute so suggestive a 

 study — I may almost venture to say, an unique and puzzling 

 enigma — in ornithology. 



8th. — Wind N.E. Keen rimy frost, with hard icy roads; 

 change to rain in evening. Two Sand -Martins present ; no 

 Swallow. 



9th. — Keen strong N.W. wind. Another hard frost last night, 



