75 
When I used to rise in a morning last autumn, and see the 
swallows and martins clustering on the chimneys and thatcli of 
the neighbouriDg cottages, I could not help being touched with 
a secret delight, mixed with some degree of mortification : with 
delight, to observe with how much ardour and punctuality those 
poor little birds obeyed the strong impulse towards migration, 
or hiding, imprinted on their 7ninds by their great Creator ; and 
with some degree of mortification, when I reflected that, after 
all our pains and inquiries, we are yet not quite certain to what 
regions they do migrate ; and are still farther embarrassed to 
find that some do not actually migrate at all. 
These reflections made so strong an impression on my ima- 
gination, that they became productive of a composition that may 
perhaps amuse you for a quarter of an hour when next I have 
the honour of writing to you. 
Selborne, February 28, 1769. 
