( xvi ) 
§. XXXV. 
But it is said, we are unable to determine to what particular country these American birds of passage emigrate. 
This, with respect to many species, is strictly true. The observation, however, does not apply to all the migratory 
birds which 1 have mentioned. 
§. XXXVI. 
It is pretty certain, that some of our migratory birds do not remove to a very great distance. Of this numbei 
are those species which even in the depth of winter make their appearance among us when we have a fe\^ 
days of warm and open weather. The Blue-Bird is one of these birds.* It is probable that it does not often re- 
move far. Perhaps, it goes to the sea-coast, where the temperature is more equable. Perhaps, however, thesi 
birds might, with more propriety, be considered as Residents. They, certainly, sometimes continue with us th( 
whole winter. They may easily find a secure retreat from the winter's cold in the neighbourhood of the sea, anc 
in close thickets of wood. Possibly, those species which are seen among us in mild winters, do not commonly re 
tire as far south as the others. But this is only conjecture. We are certain that the Turdus Polyglottos, the Arde; 
Herodias, and several others, which occasionally winter in Pennsylvania, do not always winter in the southern states. 
§. XXXVII. 
The greater number of our migratory birds seem to remove to a very considerable distance from us. It is proba 
ble, that they pass their winters in the Carolinas, Georgia, the Floridas, Mexico, Surinam, Brasil, and all the warn 
parts of South-America, and the West-India-Islands. That, in general, they remove farther south than the south 
ern parts of the United-States may safely be inferred from the very small number of our birds that is know; 
to hiemate in this part of the country. Thus, the Swallows are no more observed to winter in the southern state 
than they are in Pennsylvania. And my friend Mr. Bartram assures me, that he does not know more than thre 
of the Spring Birds of Passage that regularly winter in that part of the Union. These are the Muscicapa carolinensi' 
(Oat-Bird), Oolumba carolinensis (Tm'tle-Dove), and the Turdus minor, or Little Thrush. They winter as ft; 
north as 0 ape-Fear, in North-Carolina. I do not suppose, however, that this is the whole list of the passenger 
birds of PeuDsylvania that continue the winter through in the southern states. Some have, probably, escaped Mi 
Bartram's observation. At any rate, it will not be doubted, that during very mild winters many species con 
tinue in these states, since, during such winters, several species remain in Pennsylvania. I am assured, that the Rice 
Birds often pass the whole winter in South-Oarolina ; and some gentlemen, with whom I have conversed on th 
subject, are even of opinion, that the species regularly hiemate in that state. This, however, I presume is a mij 
take. Mr. Oatesby says the Mocking Bird hiemates in Carolina. That it does so occasionally, there can be littl 
doubt : but it is pretty certain, that, in general, it is a migratory bird, t I suspect that, besides the three species meD 
tioned by Mr. Bartram, the following birds pretty regularly hiemate in some of the southern states, particularl 
South-Carolina, and Georgia, and in the country of Florida : Oriolus phoeniceus, Gracula Quiscula, Picus auratu 
Picus erythrocephalus, Fringilla pecoris, Alauda alpestris, Charadrius vociferus, Rallus virginianus, Scolopax Ga 
linago, and a good many of the Anseres. 
* Bee Section III. Page 12. 
t Arctic Zoology. Vol. II. page 16. It is a curious fact, that previous to the cold winter of 1779-1780, or 1783-1784 (I am not positiye which), tl 
Mocking-Bird more commonly remained in the vicinity of Philadeljihia and other parts of Pennsylvania, during the winter-season, than it has doi 
since that time. I am inclined to think, that the extreme severity of the season I allude to has frightened these birds away. I am sensible, howeve 
that this mode of explaining the fact will not appear satisfactory to tho.se naturalists who believe, that the instinct of animals is a vis impellens, 
' ' determinate " something ; and that they never acquire any knowledge by experience. Very different is my opinion, as I shall fully show in a work < 
the Instinct of animals, in which I have been, for some time, engaged. ) 
