IKTRODUCTION. 
IXT 
have been found by a prying eye in some warm, secpiestered valley, or ho- 
vering over some sheltered stream, exerting themselves for subsistence, 
instead of dozing in inactivity. But so strong and decisive is the evidence 
produced, to support the probability of the torpidity of a small number of 
individuals, that it cannot be resisted with success ; but, when it is made 
to embrace the whole of the Swallow tribes, it ceases to be worthy of our 
attention or regard. Those that remain are said to seek a retreat in the 
openings of trees, in the holes of walls, in the chasms of rocks, and in the 
hollows of cliffs. Still it is doubtful, whether any of them, admitting that 
they lie congealed in torpidity and insensibility through the winter, ever 
attain a vigorous state of reanimation ; whether they have any sensible ’’ 
evacuations, or the machine altogether loses its functions, the heart sensibly 
pulsates, or the atmosphere is inhaled by the lungs, and warms the blood of 
the sleeping animal. From their internal organization one would conclude, 
that nature did not form them for a state of torpidity, as they want the 
cold blood of the Dormouse, the Marmot, and the Bat. From their 
external form, one would assert, that she had fitted them for long and 
extensive flights. Mr. Pearson has incontrovertibly demonstrated, that 
Swallows, even in our climate, may be preserved active and alive through- 
out the winter ; that they continue their song in confinement, and even 
moult, when an intense frost congeals the ground ; and it has been proved. 
This is the strongest proof that can be offered against the absurd opinion of the torpidity of 
the whole of the Swallow race ; for, were it true, among its numerous partisans would have 
been found, in such a lapse of time, hundreds who would have started up to give testimony in 
support of an hypothesis, which has so much engaged the attention of the naturalist. I have 
found birds of this genus (the Swallow, Sand, and Common Martin) in the marshes near 
Newton, hovering over the Teign, and also on the borders of the Dart, when not one could 
be seen in the neighbouring towns. 
Many Swifts and Swallows became torpid in the month of May, I 8 O 7 ; I saw several of 
them in that state; the air was extremely cold, the thermometer stood in the middle of the day at 
41 degrees. Some died, others recovered. 
K 
