The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-24
1IlRteteaatap.
From To. As.er;eon Dali, Aaperfijer.

MR. PouIsog, r..
I was much pieafed, on looking over your
paper this morning, with an article respecting
the Chimney Swallow and think Mr.. Spafford
entitled to the thanks of every naturaiif, for
his communication, and for the zeal he has
ihewn to aicertain the truth, and clear up an
obicure and long difented point in natural hif-
tory. IF other gentlemen, who reGde in the
country, and who pofrefs leilure and opportu.
nifty for making fuch obfervations, would imi-
tate his example, and communicate, from time
10 time, through the medium of the public pa
pers, the refult of their examinations into thefe
matters, they would fernifh writers in this de-
partment of feience, with materials for afcer-
tanning and defcribing the true characters,
manners and economy of thefe and other birds,
while they procured for themfelves an agreea-
tle, cheap, and Innocent amufement, in the in
tervsis of relaxation, from the more ferrous
employments of life.
Mr.. Spafford's paper, however, leaves the
quehion till undecided, viz. Does the Hirun-
do Pelafgia, or Chimney Swallow, lie torpid
all winter, or remove to warmer climate |?
We have no proofs, in the account alluded to,
Of their actually having been found in the elm,
during eVinter, which is the principal point TO
be determined.-The opinion Of Capt. Greene,
Mr.. Harrifon, and others, on this head, is in
deed hmilar to that of many individuals both
in Europe and America but the Omithologif
cannot ref fatis6ed with furmifes, however
probable, unlefs fapported by po6tive evidence
of the fact itfelf. This Mr.. Spafford, or his
friends, may put to the teft of experiment,
next winter, either by cutting down the tree,
or otherwife afcertaiuing the prsfence of the
birds then and there, which will put the mat
ter beyond all difpute. I much fear, however,
that in this they will find themfelves difappoint.
ed; as it is common for this fpecies Of Swallow
to take refuge in hollow trees, after their arr-
val, during the cold nights ufual in the begin
nlng of fummer; and for fome time previous
to their departure in the fall. The fame thing
has been obierved ir England of the Swift, III.
Apres) by Mr.. White, an intelligent naturaN !;
and a writer of own Country, MIR. Will
ans, (diitory Of Vermont, p. Il6) relates two
inaances, very fmiar to that communicated
by Mr.. Spaford, one of which, from the cir
cumftanccs that attended it, being clearly deci-
i've Of the fact that they do not remain in fuch
places all winter, I fhall give in the authors
own words; recommending the future invehi-
CATION of this fubjea to MIR. Spaford and his
friends, when the proper feaion arrives; and
Promhng them premium of ten dollars, for
every dozen of torpid CHIMNEY SsuallesvJ,
which they will tranfmit, in good condition, to
the Secretary of the American Philosophical
Society at Philadelphia, in any of the months
OF December, January, or February eufuing.
cat N1iddlebury in this State," vermont, }
lays MIR. Williams, "there was large hollow
elm, called by the people in the vicinity the
Swallow tree. From man who lived within
20 rods oft, I procured this information. He
always thought the Swallows tarried in the tree
through the winter, and avoided cutting it
down on that account. About the firft of May,
the Swallows came out of it in large numbers,
about the middle of the day, and foon returned.
AS the weather grew warmer, they came out
in the morning, with loud noife or roar, and
were foon difperfed: About half an hour be-
fore fun down they returned in millions, circu-
]atng two or three times round the tree, and
defending, Ire aream into hole, about 60
feet from the ground. 1t was cuAomary for
perfons in the vicinity to viit this tree, to OBJ
ferve the mo ions of thefe birds and when any
perions difurhed their operations, by ftriking
violently againit the tree with their axes, the
fwallowS would ruth out in millions, ard with
great noife. In Novensber 1891, the top of
this tree was blown down, 20 feet below where
the Swallows entered. Upon cutting down the
remainder, an immenfe quantity of excrement,
quilts, and feathers found, but no appear
ance or relics of any nets"
Yours, &c.
A. WILSON.
Philadelphia, Jui, s, 1907.