268 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



seems quite recovered from its weakness, and is once more 

 vigorous, sweeping up and down stream with easy flight, and 

 occasionally taking short journeys over the adjacent meadows. 



9th to 13th. — Open and rather mild weather, with continuous 

 N.W. wind. One bird only now appears to have survived, and is 

 strong in flight. On the 11th, at noon, I thought this bird, too, 

 had disappeared. After watching by the stream for some time, 

 and not being able to see the bird either near the water or over 

 the fields, I was about to depart somewhat disconsolate, when, as 

 though to once more reassure me, the Martin came skimming 

 along within a few feet of where I stood, dipped down close to the 

 surface, snapped up an insect or two, and then disappeared again 

 behind the farm-buildings. There is no doubt whatever in my 

 mind that the bird has settled down to try to weather the winter, 

 and, if insect-food holds out long enough, I have hopes it may be 

 able to survive. But then the question arises — why has not the 

 other Martin also managed to live, if it is only a matter of food- 

 supply ? Here is a curious and interesting instance of the 

 " survival of the fittest," and an enigma in evolutionary migra- 

 tion. 



14th to 17th. — Anticyclonic weather, with mild N.W. wind 

 each day. The bird still in evidence each day, very vigorous, 

 and only occasionally visiting the stream. Food is evidently 

 plentiful just now away from the water. 



18th to 21st.— Anticyclone still continues ; calm, mild, misty 

 weather. Wind S.E. The Martin still on the wing, seemingly 

 as strong and fit as ever it was in summer, and only occasionally 

 does it hawk for insects over the stream ; evidently food is 

 obtainable in sufficient quantity elsewhere. 



22nd. — Cold, wintry day; ground frozen hard. Wind N.E. 

 Visited the stream to-day at noon, and was agreeably surprised 

 to see the Martin still on the feed, up and down stream, and 

 appeared quite strong and well, taking occasional flights away 

 from the water over the fields. 



23rd. — Weather as yesterday, but cutting wind from N.E. 

 Eleven degrees of frost last night/ Martin still courageously and 

 persistently hawking for food close to the surface of the water. 

 It appears to-day very feeble, and is only just able to flutter 

 along, and does not attempt to leave the stream as yesterday. 



