NOTES. BY T. C. 



25 



this insect there is no external aperture, though air tubes reach it 

 through the scutiform protuberance. 



In many yoke- winged flies, (Hymenoptera), such as bees, there are 

 similar apertures in the head, which probably perform the function of 

 hearing. But it is not, as Ramdohr believed, in that part of the head 

 in bees with which the palpi are joined, that the organ of hearing is 

 situated, as I formerly remarked (Biologie, vi. 356). A small sac 

 indeed lies there, as I subsequently found, but this is simply one of the 

 air cells. 



NOTES. By T. C. 



In your Number for September, you honoured me by inserting some 

 observations respecting the cuckoo ; I have much pleasure in saying, 

 that the specimen to which I alluded, is still alive, though in a most 

 shabby state, as to plumage, being without tail, and almost without 

 wings ; still, however, it eats as much as ever, and seems much better 

 than could be expected, when we consider that it is moulting, and I 

 have some hopes of its living through the winter. 



I take the opportunity of troubling you with a few remarks, made at 

 different times, and in different places. 



The Swallow. — That solitary instances of swallows being dis- 

 covered at times when they have been supposed to have departed, 

 cannot be denied ; for we have instances recorded by highly respectable, 

 as well as accurate observers ; but that this should be accepted as a 

 proof that the swallow tribe generally, does not migrate, is preposterous. 

 Is it not much more rational to suppose, that such individuals have 

 been disabled by illness, or by some accidental injury, from having been 

 hatched late, or from some other unknown cause, and have existed in a 

 state of stupor (for I do not believe that any bird has the faculty of 

 enduring torpidity,) till the first warm day has roused them, and they 

 have sallied forth in search of food ? 



I should imagine that a bird might exist for some time in this way, 

 either in the chimney in which it was hatched, or in some hole, where 

 it might find a scanty supply of insect food ; and it is not certain that 

 when these individuals were observed, that was the only time they had 

 ventured from their hiding places, but they might have left them many 

 times without being observed. Now, though this may appear impro- 

 bable, how else are we to account for the appearance of swallows in the 

 winter? As to the absurd idea of torpidity, were I even to find a 



VOL. II. — NO. I. E 



