144 THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
At the latter end of September they leave us ; and 
I have been much amused in watching their motions 
on the tops of houses, where, for several days pre- 
vious to their departure, immense flocks have as- 
sembled, and, by their twittering notes, flying to 
and fro from house to house, apparently debating 
on their intended expedition ; they often reminded 
me of our members of parliament when any mo- 
mentous debate was going forward ; and a few birds 
flying from one flock to the other, seemed like the 
several deputations from our different companies 
going to petition our great houses for redress of 
grievances. 
Sometimes the latter broods, being weak, are not 
in a condition to depart so soon ; it is even ascer- 
tained that occasionally they are too feeble to venture 
till the setting in of winter ; while their parents 
vainly exhort them to efforts, which instinct assures 
them they are incapable of performing, in conse- 
quence, it frequently happens, that these miserable 
little families being thus necessitated to remain, 
both parents and their tender offspring share the 
same fate, and perish from the severity of the season , 
and the want of food. 
