[ 2 9 2 ] 
“ Ride in the whirlwind, and enjoy the ftorm.” 
They never fly, however, at this time, from point 
to point, but only tumble in the air, merely for their 
diverflon. 
It feems, therefore, that birds are by no means 
calculated for flights acrofs oceans, for which they 
have no previous pradice : and they are, in fad, al- 
ways fo fatigued, that, when they meet a fhip at fea, 
they forget all apprehenfions, and deliver themfelves 
up to the failors. 
Let us now confider another objection to the mi- 
gration of the fwallow, which Monf. de Buffon fup- 
pofes may crofs the Atlantic to the Line in eight 
days * j and this not only from the want of reft, but of. 
food, during the paffage. 
A fwallow, indeed, feeds on the wing: but where 
is it to find any infeds, whilft it is flying over a wide 
expanfe of fea ? This bird, therefore, if it ever at- 
tempted fo adventurous a paffage, would foon feel 
a want of food, and return again to land, where it 
had met with a conftant fup.ply from minute to 
minute. 
I am aware it may be here objeded, that the 
fwallow leaves us on the approach of winter, when 
foon no flying infeds can be procured : but I fhali 
hereafter endeavour to fhew, that thefe birds are then 
torpid, and, confequently, can want no fuch food. 
Another objedion remains to the hypothefis of 
migration, which is, that birds, when flying from 
* Difcours fur la nature des oifeaux, p, 32. 
point 
