294 
SWIMMERS. 
the winter, being seen on the Mississippi nearly to New 
Orleans. They retire from their natal regions in the North in 
September, and early in October are seen to arrive in great 
numbers about Ipswich, Cape Ann, and Cape Cod, in Massa- 
chusetts, continuing to come till the month of November, and 
generally appearing in greater numbers after the occurrence of 
an eastwardly storm. In hazy weather they also fly low, and 
diverge into the bays and inlets. Many of these wandering 
flocks pass on to the South almost without any delay, usually 
in marshalled and angular lines, but sometimes in a confused 
gang, loudly gabbling as they proceed. Their stay here is 
commonly so short that it is necessary to ambuscade in huts on 
their route in order to obtain them, d'he course of their pas- 
sage is remarkably uniform, and instead of winding round the 
bays, they cross over the narrow necks and peninsulas of land 
which lie in their southern route, as if in ha.ste to arrive at 
some particular destination, or dissatisfied with the prospect of 
fare. They continue almost without interruption their inflex- 
ible course until, seduced by the mildness of the climate or 
the abundance of their food, they seem inclined to take up 
their permanent winter residence in the inlets of Long Island 
and the sheltered bays of New Jersey, arriving, according to 
Wilson, in Egg Harbor sometimes as early as the 20th of 
September, or almost without the intermission of any interval, 
but fir necessary food and repose, from the time of their leav- 
ing the shores of Hudson Bay. The first flights, still adven- 
turous and roving, generally remain here only a few days, and 
then pass on still farther to the South. Flocks continue, how- 
ever, to arrive from the North, and many individuals remain 
in the waters of New Jersey until the severe weather of De- 
cember urges them to seek out milder regions. On recom- 
mencing their journey they assemble in one great flight, making 
an extensive spiral sweep some miles in circuit, to reconnoitre 
their route ; when, rising at length high in the air, they steer 
to the ocean, and continue their course along the bays, or 
even out at sea for several leagues, till they arrive again at 
some new destination. 
