They reach Boston about the 25th, and continue their migration much
farther north, as the spring continues to open.
On their return to the Southern States, they do not require to wait
for warmer days, as in spring, to enable them to proceed, and they all
leave the above-mentioned districts and places about the 20th of August.
They assemble in parties of from fifty to a hundred and fifty, about the
spires of churches in the cities, or on the branches of some large dead tree
about the farms, for several days before their final departure. From
these places they are seen making occasional sorties, uttering a general
cry, and inclining their course towards the west, flying swiftly for several
hundred yards, when suddenly checking themselves in their career, they
return in easy sailings to the same tree or steeple. They seem to act thus
for the purpose of exercising themselves, as well as to ascertain the course
they are to take, and to form the necessary arrangements for enabling the
party to encounter the fatigues of their long journey. Whilst alighted,
during these days of preparation, they spend the greater part of the time
jn dressing and oiling their feathers, cleaning their skins, and clearing, as
it were, every part of their dress and body from the numerous insects
which infest them. They remain on their roosts exposed to the night air,
a few only resorting to the boxes where they have been reared, and do not
leave them until the sun has travelled an hour or two from the horizon,
but continue, during the fore part of the morning, to plume themselves
with great assiduity. At length, on the dawn of a calm morning, they
start with one accord, and are seen moving due west or south-west, joining
other parties as they proceed, until there is formed a flock similar to
that which I have described above. Their progress is now much more
rapid than in spring, and they keep closer together.
It is during these migrations, reader, that the power of flight possessed
by these birds can be best ascertained, and more especially when they
encounter a violent storm of wind. They meet the gust, and appear to
slide along the edges of it, as if determined not to lose one inch of what
they have gained. The foremost front the storm with pertinacity, ascending
or plunging along the skirts of the opposing currents, and entering
their undulating recesses, as if determined to force their way through,
while the rest follow close behind, all huddled together into such compact
masses as to appear like a black spot. Not a twitter is then to be heard
from them by the spectator below; but the instant the farther edge of
the current is doubled, they relax their efforts, to refresh themselves, and
twitter in united accord, as if congratulating each other on the successful
issue of the contest.
The usual flight of this bird more resembles that of the Hirundo urbica
of L I N N A E U S , or that of'the Hirundofulva of V I E I L L O T , than the flight
of any other species of Swallow; and, although graceful and easy, cannot
be compared in swiftness with that of the Barn Swallow. Yet the Martin
is fully able to distance any bird not of its own genus. They are very
expert at bathing and drinking while on the wing, when over a large lake
or river, giving a sudden motion to the hind part of the body, as it comes
into contact with the water, thus dipping themselves in it, and then rising
and shaking their body, like a water spaniel, to throw off the water. When
intending to drink, they sail close over the water, with both wings greatly
raised, and forming a very acute angle with each other. In this position,
they lower the head, dipping their bill several times in quick succession,
and swallowing at each time a little water.
They alight with comparative ease on different trees, particularly willows,
making frequent movements of the wings and tail as they shift their
place, in looking for leaves to convey to their nests. They also frequently
alight on the ground, where, notwithstanding the shortness of their
legs, they move with some ease, pick up a goldsmith or other insect, and
walk to the edges of puddles to drink, opening their wings, which they
also do when on trees, feeling as if not perfectly comfortable.
These birds are extremely courageous, persevering, and tenacious of
what they consider their right. They exhibit strong antipathies against
cats, dogs, and such other quadrupeds as are likely to prove dangerous to
them. They attack and chase indiscriminately every species of Hawk,
Crow, or Vulture, and on this account are much patronized by the husbandman.
They frequently follow and tease an Eagle, until he is out of
sight of the Martin's box; and to give you an idea of their tenacity,
when they have made choice of a place in which to rear their young, I
shall relate to you the following occurrences.
I had a large and commodious house built and fixed on a pole, for the
reception of Martins, in an enclosure near my house, where for some years
several pairs had reared their young. One winter I also put up several
small boxes, with a view to invite Blue-birds to build nests in them. The
Martins arrived in the spring, and imagining these smaller apartments
more agreeable than their own mansion, took possession of them, after
forcing the lovely Blue-birds from their abode, I witnessed the different