OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
annoyance of these tiny tribes hinders molestation to the birds, 
which soon take up an abode where they receive at the same time 
protection and food. 
Most of the Artami migrate, a fact universal among the 
swallows, and the manner of performing it simultaneously appears 
similar. “ A. sordidus ,” again writes Mr. G-ould, tc was very 
numerous in the town of Perth until about the middle of April, 
when I missed it suddenly ; nor did I observe it again until near 
the end of May, when I saw it in countless numbers, flying in com- 
pany with the common swallows and martens, over a lake about ten 
miles north of the town ; so numerous in fact were they, that they 
darkened the water as they flew over it.” The migration was, in 
fact, performing at the same time, and in company by all these 
birds. It is now known in those countries where some attention 
has been given to the habits of animals and birds, that swallows, 
after assembling and preparing, move off in large flocks, and have 
been met with in vast numbers by vessels at sea, when thus on 
their journey. A pamphlet published at York in 1815, describing 
the departure of the swallows at Rotherham, tells us, that “ their 
numbers became daily augmented, until they became a vast flock ; 
that “ on the morning of the 7th October, their mighty army broke 
up their encampment, debouched from their retreat, and rising} 
covered the heavens with their legions and we have ourselves 
often witnessed their autumnal congregations, and sudden simul- 
taneous departure. The economical habits are also in many 
respects remarkably alike. How often do we see our native house 
swallow, on a close or damp day, perched in rows on the project- 
ing ledge of some building, on a rail, or on some bare branch of a 
tree, resting or pluming, “ sallying forth to capture a passing 
insect, and after a short excursion, returning to the same perch, 
regaining its place with a repeated motion of the wings from and 
to the body. The young, possessing less strength of wing, often 
huddle together, when a like solicitude is displayed by the parents, 
both in feeding, and in attempting to make them exert, or as it 
were, practice themselves in flight. The remarkable habit of the 
Artami clustering like bees to the dead branch of a tree, remains 
w ithout any suggestion as to the cause by our intelligent author ; 
and the reason is not mentioned, or whether it took place parti- 
cularly soon before migration, nevertheless, it is a habit not to be 
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