280 SWALLOW. 



by the end of August, all that were bred in the district are for the 

 most part gone. During the months of September, and first part of 

 October, myriads of Swallows arrive from the more northern tracts, 

 and migrate daily to the Barbary Shore, but always appear most 

 numerous in a W. or S. W. wind ; sometimes alight at this season 

 on the sandy shores of the Isthmus, in vast multitudes, manifestly 

 fatigued; take breath a while, standing all the time with their heads 

 to the wind, and then renew their course, steering always, not im- 

 mediately south, but inclining towards Cabrita Point, S. W. In 

 the passage over land never fly higher than is just sufficient to clear 

 the face of the country; and over the water, as they cross the Bay, 

 skim the very surface ; some few stragglers have now and then been 

 seen in November, December, and January.* 



At the Cape of Good Hope about Rhode-zand, the Swallows in 

 September and October, build their nests, chiefly in the farm houses, 

 the doors of which are seldom shut ; though sometimes fix their 

 habitations in the clefts of rocks ; they are of clay, worked up with 

 their bills, and carried in small scraps to their habitations, which 

 thus become daily more round, and complete. These birds, which 

 constantly return at this time, migrate every year to other parts, 

 as they do in Europe, without the country people being able to 

 ascertain whither they retire during winter ;f are certainly found in 

 Bengal, as I have seen it in drawings from thence. J 



The Swallow is also said to be found in North America, visiting 

 Newfoundland, and other parts, and builds on lofty rocks and 

 precipices, especially such as yield shelter, by overhanging their 

 base; others affect the haunts of mankind, and make the nest in 

 barns, stables, and outhouses ; on that account are, as in Sweden, 

 called Barn Swallows, but in these the under side is ferruginous 

 where the European one is white ; otherwise in all appearance the 



* Rev. Mr. White. f Thunb. Trav. i. 157. 



J See also View of Hind. ii. 268. Mem. in the drawings from India, the red seems to 

 be continued farther on the throat than in the European Species.— Hardwicke. — Catrapore, 

 January 1798. 



