506 
plint's natural history. 
[Book X. 
EETIETEMENT THE TURTLE-DOVE AND THE RING-DOVE ^THS 
PLIGHT OF STARLINGS AND SWALLOWS. 
In a similar manner also, the blackbird, the thrush, and the 
starling take their departure to neighbouring countries ; but 
they do not lose their feathers, nor yet conce^d themselves, as 
they are often to be seen in places where they seek their food 
during the winter : hence it is that in winter, more especially, 
the thrush is so often to be seen in Germany. It is, however, 
a well-ascertained fact, that the turtle-dove conceals itself, and 
loses its feathers. The ring-dove, also, takes its departure : 
and with these too, it is a matter of doubt whither they go. 
It is a peculiarity of the starling to fly in troops, as it were, 
and then to wheel round in a globular mass like a ball, the 
central troop acting as a pivot for the rest. Swallows are the 
only birds that have a sinuous flight of remarkable velocity ; 
for which reason it is that they are not exposed to the attacks 
of other birds of prey : these too, in fine, are the only birds that 
take their food solely on the wing. 
CHAP. 36. (25.) BIRDS WHICH REMAIN WITH US THROUGHOUT 
THE TEAR ; BIRDS WHICH REMAIN WITH US ONLY SIX OR 
THREE MONTHS ; WITWALLS AND HOOPOES. 
The time during which birds show themselves differs very 
considerably. Some remain with us all the year round, the 
pigeon, for instance ; some for six months, such as the swallow ; 
and some, again, for three months only, as the thrush, the turtle- 
dove, and those which take their departure the moment they 
have reared their young, the witwalP^ and the hoopoe, for 
instance. 
CHAP. 37. (26.) THE MEMNONIDES. 
There are some authors who say that every year certain 
birds fly from -<iEthiopia to Ilium, and have a combat at the 
tomb of Memnon there ; from which (jrcumstance they have 
received from them the name of Memnonides, or birds of 
Memnon. Cremutius states it also as a fact, ascertained by 
13 Galgulus. 
1* Cuvier suggests, that these birds may have been the Tringa pugnax 
of LinnjBus and Buffon, the males of which engage in most bloody combats 
with each other on the banks of rivers, in spring. 
