f 20 A 3 
the fwallow is commonly pitched upon as the mofl 
notorious inftance of fuch a regular paffage* 
This feems to arife fir ft from its being feen in 
fuch numbers during the fummer, from its appear- 
ing almoft always on the wing, and from its feeding 
in that pofition ; from which two latter circumftances 
it is fuppofed to be the bell: adapted for fuch diftant 
migrations. 
And firft, let us confider, from the few faffs or 
reafons we have to argue from, what length of flight 
either a fwallow or any other bird is probably equal 
to. 
A fwallow, it is true, feems to be always on the 
wing •, but I have frequently attended, as much as I 
could, on a particular one ; and it hath appeared to 
me, that the bird commonly returned to its neft in 
eight or ten minutes : as for extent of flight, I believe 
I may venture to fay, that thefe birds are feldom a 
quarter of mile from their mate or young ones ; they 
feed whilft on the wing, and are perpetually turning 
fhort round to catch the infedts, who endeavour to 
elude them as a hare does a greyhound. 
It therefore feems to me, that fwallows are by no 
means equal to long flights, from their practice during 
their fummer refidence with us. 
I have long attended to the flight of birds ; and it 
hath always appeared to me, that they are never on 
the wing for amufement (as we walk or ride), but 
merely in fearch of food. 
The only bird which I have ever obferved to fly 
without any particular point of direction, is the 
.rook : thefe birds will, when the wind is high, 
Pp a 
Ride 
