§. 1.

THE first ten pages of the following FRAGMENTS will, probably, be thought the most interesting part of this little work. They exhibit a rude and imperfect sketch of the Natural History-Picture in the neighbourhood of Phi­ladelphia: a picture which, if it were drawn by an able hand, could not fail to prove interesting to the lovers of science, in every part of the world. Each of these pages is divided into five columns. The first respects the day of the month when the birds mentioned in the second column arrived, or were first seen, in the vicinity of Philadel­phia. In the second column, I have given what may be called the scientific Latin name of each bird. In this part of my subject, I have always preferred the name of Linnaeus, when I could discover that the bird had been described by this great naturalist. But several of the birds, which are here mentioned, were not known to Linnaeus: at least, I do not find that they have a place in any of the editions of his immortal work, the Systema Naturae. I have, therefore, been obliged to adopt other names, and, in a few instances, to impose them myself. I have often adopted the names of Professor Gmelin, the laborious, and often successful, editor of the new edition of the Systema Naturae. ^* When this is the case, I have affixed to the scientific name, the letter G, thus (G.) I have in this co­lumn, sometimes made use of the scientific names of my ingenious and good friend, Mr. William Bartram, a gentleman who has contributed much to our knowledge of the natural productions of North-America. To the names which I myself have imposed, I have affixed the word (mihi.) But I by no means pretend to assert, that all the birds thus marked are new, or have not been described by naturalists.

§. II.

In the third column, I have given the English scientific and the English provincial names. The former are chiefly taken from the Arctic Zoology ^† of my excellent friend Mr. Pennant, because this is a work of such extensive merit, that I presume it is in the hands of almost every naturalist; and because the names imposed by this gentleman are, with a very few exceptions, just and significant. By the English provincial names, I mean the names by which these birds are best known in Pennsylvania, and in various other parts of the United-States. These provincial names are always enclosed within a parenthesis, as in the instances (Pewe), (Turtle-Dove), &c. They are designated in the same manner in the list of Resident Birds, &c. in Section III. The greater number of these names are used in Pennsylvania.

§. III.

The fourth column relates to the "Progress Vegetation." The greater number of the vegetables which I have here enumerated are natives of Pennsylvania. Some, which are not natives of this state, are natives of other parts of the United-States; whilst others have not, hitherto, been found to grow spontaneously in any part of America. In general, the plants are designated by their Linnaean names. In a few instances, I have adopted the names of the late Mr. Aiton, in his Hortus Kewensis; those of Marshall, and other botanists. All the plants which I have men­tioned are found, either wild, or growing in gardens, in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, where the remarks on the time of their flowering and leasing have been made.

§. IV.

The fifth and last column contains "Miscellaneous Observations." In this part of my Sketches, I have done but very little. Want of time has prevented me from throwing into this column, many interesting facts, some of which will be presented, perhaps to greater advantage, to the public, in my future publications. The few Ther­mometrical [Page vi]and Barometrical observations, which occur under this head, are given on the authority of my ever­venerated maternal uncle, the late David Rittenhouse, Esq These observations were made in Philadelphia.

§. V.

It must not be imagined, that I communicate these sketches to the public as exhibiting even the names of all the migratory birds of Pennsylvania. I am persuaded, that many of these birds have escaped my notice. This is, per­haps, especially the case with the birds of the genera Anas, Tringa, and of the extensive order of Passeres, &c. which I suspect are constant in their migrations from the north to the south, and from the south to the north. A good many of the birds which are mentioned by Mr. Pennant as natives of New-York have not hitherto, to my knowledge, been observed in Pennsylvania: but it can hardly be supposed that those species which are common in New-York (if we except such as delight in the vicinity of the sea-coast) are uncommon, or never seen, in Pennsyl­vania. Here, however, I must observe, that I cannot but suspect, that Mr. Pennant, Mr. Latham, and other able ornithologists, have sometimes described as distinct species, birds which merely differ in sex, or in age, and in their colouring, for which these animals, at different seasons of the year, are so remarkable.

§. VI.

Besides the constant migratory birds, there are others, which may be denominated occasional migratory, or visit­ant, birds of Pennsylvania. Such, not to mention several others, are the Columba passerina, or Ground-Pigeon, the Fringilla bicolor, or Bahama-Finch, and a species of Psittacus, or Parrot.

§. VII.

The two first of these birds were seen in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, between thirty and forty years ago. The Psittacus, most probably the Psittacus pertinax, Illinois Parrot, or the Psittacus carolinensis, Carolina Parrot, has been occasionally observed in Shareman's Valley, on Shareman's Creek, a branch of the river Susquehanna, within twenty miles of the town of Carlisle.^* This last fact seems to contradict the observation of Mr. William Bartram, who says, "The parakeet (Psittacus carolinensis) never reach so far north as Pennsylvania, which to me is unaccountable, considering they are a bird of such singular rapid flight, they could easily perform the jour­ney in ten or twelve hours from North-Carolina, where they are very numerous, and we abound with all the fruits which they delight in."^† It is well known, that the late M. de Buffon had limited the range of the whole of the Parrot-kind to exactly twenty-five degrees on each side of the equator.^‡ Mr. Pennant has shown that the eloquent French naturalist was, in this instance, mistaken.^§ My observation is an additional objection to the hypothesis. I may add, that a very large flight of parakeets, which came from the westward, was seen, a few years ago, about twenty-five miles to the north-west of Albany, in the state of New-York. The arrival of these birds in the depth of winter^| was, indeed, a very remarkable circumstance. The more ignorant Dutch settlers were exceedingly alarmed. They imagined, in dreadful consternation, that it portended nothing less calamitous than the destruction of the world.^¶

§. VIII.

I suspect it will be found, that, in general, our southern birds migrate farther north in the tract of country west than in that east of the great ranges of our mountains. With respect to the birds, I hazard this merely as a con­jecture: [Page vii]but it is a conjecture which derives support from many interesting facts which I have collected, and which will be mentioned and explained in my Geographical View of the Trees and Shrubs of North-America. In that work, I shall show, that the southern trees and shrubs (that is, those vegetables which attain to their greatest perfection in the southern climates of our continent, particularly of the United-States) are, in general, found much farther north in the western than they are in the eastern parts of our country. This fact seems to show, and the point is put beyond any manner of doubt, by thermometrical observations, that the western climate, in the same lati­tudes, is more temperate than the eastern. Of course, it were natural to suppose, that the southern birds, to whom heat is so genial, would often be solicited farther north in the western than in the eastern district. This, with respect to some birds, is actually the case. Mr. Jefferson has observed, that "Perroquets even winter on the Sioto, in the 39th degree of latitude."^* I have certain information, that these birds winter still farther north than is here mentioned.

§. IX.

Birds, in migrating, are fond of following the courses of rivers, and other large streams of water. This circum­stance, in my opinion, partly explains the reason, why some of the birds of the southern parts of the United-States, and also some of the South-American birds, which have never, or very rarely, been discovered in the Atlantic coun­tries of North-America, are not uncommon in the countries west of the Alleghaney-Mountains. These southern birds, following the courses of the Mississippi, and its branches (the Ohio, the Illinois, &c.) are spread or dispersed through the rich and extensive territories that are washed by these waters. Whether or not this explanation be admitted, the fact is certainly as I have stated; and to the naturalist it cannot but appear interesting. The Psittacus pertinax is one of the birds of Brasil; and the Muscicapa Tyrannus, which is held in so much esteem by the Nau­dowessies, and other western Indian tribes, is a native of Surinam, and of the country bordering on th [...] river Plata.

§. X.

It is, I think, in general, a just observation, that our Spring and Summer birds of passage continue with us about six months, and are absent for the same length of time. Accordingly, those birds which arrive early in the spring disappear early in the autumn, and those which arrive late in the spring do not disappear until late in the au­tumn. Our late springs are commonly succeeded by late and warm autumns, which, by keeping alive the numerous species of insects, which are the favourite food of almost all our summer birds of passage, detain these birds for a considerable time among us.

§. XI.

The greater number of the Spring and Summer birds of passage, which I have mentioned, build and breed in Pennsylvania.^† Perhaps, they all breed in some part of this extensive state, with the exception of the Vultur Aura (Turkey-Buzzard), and a few others, which do not visit us until towards the close of the summer. It has lately been ascertained, that the Ampelis Garrulus, or Prib-Chatterer (Cedar-Bird) does breed in Pennsylvania; and I doubt not, that the same will, in time, be discovered to be the case with the Emberiza Oryzivora (Rice-Bird, Reed-Bird), and others whose nests have not hitherto been seen in Pennsylvania. It is not unlikely, however, that some of these birds of passage continue their migration farther northward, to New-York, New-England, Vermont, &c. and there breed and raise their young, returning southward, through Pennsylvania, in the fall.

§. XII.

It is an interesting fact, for which we are indebted to Mr. William Bartram, that very few of our birds of passage from the south "build or rear their young in the south or maritime parts of Virginia and Carolina, Georgia and [Page viii]Florida."^* This circumstance leads to a suspicion, that the principal cause (I will not, out of complaisance to any one, call it a necessary instinct) which leads or impels these birds to migrate to the northward, is that they may make choice of a proper climate, abounding in their favourite food, to perform their amours, to build their nests, and to rear their young. Much light might be thrown upon this curious subject, if natural history were cultivated in the United-States, with a portion of that innocent and useful zeal with which it is cultivated in Europe: with only a small portion of that ardent zeal which so strongly characterizes the Americans in their pursuit of gain. But, as yet, little attention is paid to the study of nature in the United-States. In our colleges, it is not taught as an indispen­sable branch of polite or useful knowledge, but is obliged to yield its laurels to languages which are withered or dead, and to studies which are useless or ignoble.^†

§. XIII.

It has been supposed, that many of the birds which I have enumerated, pass, on their return to the south, during the autumnal months, through the countries which are situated to the west of the great ranges of our mountains. That this is sometimes the case, I do not doubt: but it is not the general order of the migration of our birds. My opinion, indeed, is opposed by the authority of some very respectable naturalists, whose sentiments deserve to be mentioned in this place. "The birds (says the late Mr. George Edwards), which pass through the country north­ward in the spring, being never observed to return the same way, Mr. Bartram supposes that they go to the southward in autumn by some other passage beyond their inland mountains."^‡ This notion is likewise adopted by Mr. Pennant-Speaking of the Motacilla vermivora, or Worm-eater, this able zoologist says, "It does not appear in Pennsylvania till July, in its passage northward. Does not return the same way; but is supposed to go beyond the mountains which lie to the west. This seems to be the case with all the transient vernal visitants of Pennsylvania."^§ In the above quotation, Mr. Edwards says, the birds are "never" observed to return the same way that they went. This is, certainly, a mistake. Our swallows, which are migratory birds, as I think I have rendered very probable in the Appendix,^‖ are generally seen on their return southward, in the autumn, far to the east of the first ranges of our mountains. But independently of the swallows, the same may be said of many other species of birds. Indeed, I believe it may confidently be said, that most of the passenger-birds, which pass by us, in the spring, return, in the autumn, southward, the same way they went. This observation certainly applies to the Anas canadensis (Wild-Goose), the Columba migratoria (Wild-Pigeon), the Fringilla tristis (Yellow-Bird), Motacilla Sialis (Blue-Bird), Loxia Curvirostra (Crossbill), Fringilla — (Hemp-Bird), and at least fifty others, which are constantly observed on their migrations southward, in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. These autumnal flocks sometimes consist of many thousands of individuals together; and it has been observed, that birds of different species sometimes mi­grate in the same bodies.

§. XIV.

It must not be imagined, that the birds which I have enumerated arrive uniformly, every year, at the times which are prefixed to their names, in the first column. I have long been persuaded, that the uniformity of the ar­rival of the migratory birds, in any given country, is not so great as many naturalists have imagined. The atten­tion which I have paid to this curious subject in Pennsylvania, has convinced me, that my suspicion was well founded. The migration of birds is not a "determinate instinct,^¶ but an act of volition, or will. Hence, the seasons and [Page ix]other circumstances will greatly regulate the arrival of birds in, and their flight or removal from, a particular country. Sometimes, there is a difference of three weeks or a month between the arrival, or appearance, of the same species, in two different years. This will appear from the following instances, which are selected from many others.

§. XV.

From an inspection of these Tables, it will appear, that the Alauda alpestris, or Shore-Lark, the Alauda rubra, or Red-Lark, the Fringilla tristis, or Golden Finch, and some others, were not observed, in the vicinity of Phila­delphia, earlier than the twelfth of March, 1791: whereas the same birds were seen, in the same neighbourhood, as early as the twenty-eighth of February, the following year, on their passage northward.

I have placed the Anas canadensis (Wild-Goose) between the 15th and the 18th of April, 1791, but in the year 1794, these birds were observed, on their migration from the south, as early as the 3d of March. In the first men­tioned year the Ardea Herodias, or Great Heron, was not observed before the 15th or 16th of April; but in the latter year, numbers of these birds were seen as early as the 1st of April. Many other instances might be mentioned.

§. XVI.

How much the movements of birds from one country to another depend upon the state of the seasons, will ap­pear from different parts of this little work; particularly from the Third Section. Here we find, that during our mild winters, several of those species of birds which, in general, are undoubtedly migratory, continue the winter through in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. Such, which I have denominated the OCCASIONAL, or ACCI­DENTAL, RESIDENT BIRDS, are the Ardea Herodias, or Great Heron, Columba carolinensis, or Turtle-Dove, the Fringilla melodia, and several others: I doubt not many more than I have mentioned. The Columba migratoria, Passenger-Pigeon, commonly returns from the northward late in the fall, and continues with us a few days, or weeks, feeding in our fields upon the seed of the buckwheat,^* or in the woods upon acorns. But if the season be a very mild one, they continue with us for a much longer time. This was the case in the winter of 1792—1793, when immense flocks of these birds continued about the city, and did not migrate farther southward, until the weather became more severe in the month of January. The winter of 1792—1793, was one of the mildest that had ever been remembered in Pennsylvania. It is a common observation in some parts of this state, that when the Pi­geons continue with us all the winter, we shall have a sickly summer and autumn. There is, perhaps, some foun­dation for this notion. Large bodies^† of these birds seldom do winter among us unless the winter be very mild; and the experience of some years has taught us, that such winters are often followed by malignant epidemics. The mild winter of 1792—1793, was succeeded by a dreadful malignant fever, which destroyed between four and five thousand people in Philadelphia; and I am assured, that the same fever in 1762 was preceded by an extremely open winter, during which the pigeons remained about Philadelphia, and in other parts of the state. In the hands of a poet, a Lucretius, or a Virgil, this coincidence between the accidental hiemation of the pigeons and the appearance of the yellow-fever might be wrought up into a system of beautiful extravagance.

§. XVII.

If birds, in their migration from one country to another, were impelled by a "determinate," or necessary instinct, the periods of their arrival and departure would be more uniform and fixed. But we have seen, that there is a considerable difference in these respects, even in two years immediately in succession. Such great regularity in the migrations of these animals by no means accords with those accommodating habits, which the naturalist discovers in his investigation of the manners of all animals; those habits which have been given to them, as to us, by a Cre­ator [Page x]whose works so loudly proclaim his wisdom, and the extent of his benevolence and attention to the innume­rable living objects which he has formed.

§. XVIII.

It is highly probable, that the periods of the migrations of birds will be found to be more or less uniform in pro­portion as the climates of the countries to which they migrate are more or less variable in their temperature. It is perhaps, upon this principle, that we are to explain the difference of the times of the arrival and departure of the birds of Pennsylvania, and other parts of North-America. The climates of these countries are extremely variable; I suppose more so that most other countries that are known to us. If, as has been supposed by many writers, the hand of man, by clearing and by cultivating the surface of the earth, contributes essentially to the greater uniformity in the temperature of climates, it is reasonable to conjecture, that the time will come, when the periods of the migrations of our birds will be more constant and fixed. For in North-America, especially the United-States, the progress of population, and of clearing and cultivating the earth, is more rapid and immense than in any other portion of the world.

§. XIX.

It would be a very curious subject of inquiry,—What changes have taken place in the periods of the arrival and disappearance of the passenger-birds, in those countries in which observations have long been made by the ancient poets, and by naturalists? Perhaps, an investigation of this question would, in some degree, illustrate the changes which climates are said to have undergone. Thus, the time of the Swallow's coming into Italy, is particularly mentioned both by Columella and by Pliny,^* and it may be gathered also from a beautiful passage in the Georgies of Virgil.^† Do the periods meationed by these writers correspond with the periods of the arrival of this bird, in the same country, at present? If the climate of Italy, within the last seventeen or eighteen hundred years, has altered [...]s much as it is, by many ingenious men, thought to have done, it is not likely that the Swallow now visits that country at the same time it did formerly, in the days of Virgil, and the naturalists whom I have mentioned. I am sorry that I cannot, without some trouble, ascertain the question.

§. XX.

The fourth column of the tables will enable the curious naturalist to form some idea of the temperature of our climate (by showing the time of leasing, flowering, planting, &c. of a considerable number of vegetables, both native and foreign); at the same time, that it will point out, in a number of instances, the coincidence between this progress in vegetation and the arrival and disappearance of the migratory birds. This last has long been deemed an interesting subject by naturalists, though I am inclined to think, that they have often imagined, that this coinci­dence is greater than it really is.

§. XXI.

I will not deny, that there is a very remarkable conformity between the vegetation of some plants and the arrival of certain birds of passage. This, perhaps, is especially the case in those countries the climates of which are the most regular in their seasons. Linnaeus has observed, that the Wood-Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) blows in Sweden on the arrival of the Common Swallow,^‡ and that the Marsh-Marygold (Caltha palustris) blows when the [Page xi]Cuckoo sings.^* The amiable Mr. Stillingfleet remarked nearly the same coincidence in England. Dr. Darwin ob­serves, that the "word Coccux in Greek signifies both a young fig and a cuckoo, which is supposed to have arisen from the coincidence of their appearance in Greece."^† Many instances of a similar coincidence might be pointed out between the flowering of our Pennsylvanian vegetables and the arrival of certain birds. Thus it is observed, that the Wood-Cock (Scolopax Gallinago) commonly visits us when the American Elm (Ulmus americana) is in full blossom: that is between the 8th and 18th of March.

§. XXII.

It is well known, that the ancients were of opinion, that the arrival of certain birds of passage afforded one of the best and safest directions for the planting of different kinds of vegetables, and for other agricultural purposes. Thus Virgil, who was at once a naturalist and poet, tells us, that the best time for planting vineyards (in Italy) is when the White bird, or Storck, appears:

I could point out, in the happy compositions of this great poet, other instances of a similar kind. The following is too beautiful to be omitted. The poet of Mantua is here describing the method and the time for killing a steer for the purpose of obtaining from its putrid gore a stock of bees, as was practised by the ancient Egyptians.^‡ He tells us this must be done early in the spring, before the meadows are painted with the colours of flowers, and be­fore the Swallow builds its nest upon the rafters.

§. XXIII.

Although in Pennsylvania, and many other parts of the United-States, the arrival of our birds does not appear to be as uniform as it is in many of the countries of the old world; ^§ the arrival of several species is, nevertheless, so regular, that it may be considered as the signal for commencing certain agricultural operations. Thus, the Muscicapa fusca, which we call Pewe, is one of the earliest Spring birds of passage, visiting the neighbourhood of Philadel­phia about the middle of March. We have seldom hard frosts after the arrival of this bird, which seems to give a pretty confident assurance to the farmer, that he may very soon begin to open the ground and plant. It is an old ob­servation in Pennsylvania, that when the Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus virginianus) arrives, it is time to go bare­footed; that is, the spring season is pretty far advanced, and sufficiently warm to admit of laying aside the use of shoes, without much inconvenience. This adage originated in the days of greater simplicity than the present. Some of our Indians believe, that this bird is a messenger sent to call their attention to the planting of the ground. Accordingly upon the arrival of the Whip-poor-will, they say to one another, "the Weecolis ^‖ is come: it is planting [Page xii]time;" and while the bird is uttering the sound of whip-poor-will, or weecolis, they will repeat the word "Hacki­beek," which is "plant the ground."

§. XXIV.

I am of opinion, that all the birds which are mentioned in the tables, with the exception of the Alauda magna (Meadow-Lark), Tetrao virginianus (Partridge), and a very few others, are migratory birds, or birds of passage. But I do not expect that this opinion will be universally received by naturalists. In almost every country in which natu­ral history has been cultivated, the places of retreat of birds at the times of their disappearance has been a matter of dispute. The question concerning the Swallows is not yet settled; and in this country the notion which I deem an erroneous one with respect to these birds is gaining ground.^* The sportsmen find still greater difficulty in disco­vering the place of retreat of their favourite "Rail," the Rallus virginianus;^† whilst some of the Indians assure us, that the Vultur aura (Turkey-Buzzard) passes its winters in the hollows of trees, &c.

§. XXV.

Some ingenious gentlemen, with whom I have conversed on the subject, are even of opinion, that but a very few of our birds are, strictly speaking, birds of passage. They imagine, that some of these birds, at the coming on of cold weather, pass into a torpid state, whilst others merely take shelter from the inclemency of the wea­ther, in close thickets, in the hollows of trees, rocks, &c. without becoming torpid. This opinion may be sup­ported by plausible arguments. Some species of Swallows have occasionally been found in a torpid state. In mild winters, several of those birds which are thought to be commonly migratory, are seen among us; and even after the disappearance of some species, such as the Motacilla Sialis, or Blue-Bird, one or two warm days in the winter time will bring them back again. This notion is likewise favoured by the torpid state into which so many of our ani­mals pass, and continue, during the winter season; such as different species of Lizards, Tortoises, Frogs, Serpents, and Insects. Nor is it merely the animals with cold blood (Sanguis frigidus) that become torpid. Some of our quadrupeds fall into a similar state. Such are the Arctomys Monax, or Maryland Marmot (best known in the United-States by the names of Ground-Hog, and Wood-chuck), and some of the smaller animals of the order Glires, par­ticularly some species of Dipus, or Jerboa. Other species, again, that do not become torpid, keep themselves con­fined in close quarters, during the greater part of the winter-season. Such are some of the species of Squirrel, the Didelphis Opossum (Opossum), and others.

§. XXVI.

These various facts, it must be confessed, seem to give some degree of plausibility to the notion, that our birds hi [...]mate, ‡ or take up their winter-quarters among us, and that they do not migrate to a distance. Still, however, I cannot but adopt the latter notion. The complete disclosure of the fact, that the serpents, frogs, some quadrupeds, &c. become torpid, is rather an argument against the torpid state of our birds. Why should it be so much more difficult to discover the latter than the former in a torpid state, if they actually went into this state? Ten thousand serpents may be found in the torpid state as readily as a single Swallow, or Humming. Bird.^§ It is recorded in some part of Mr. Bos­well's ponderous Life of the late Dr. Samuel Johnson, that in a conversation which took place on the subject of the an­nual disappearance of Woodcocks, in England, the doctor observed, that the discovery of a few of these birds, in the summer time, only proved that the species does, in general, emigrate from the country. "Exceptia probat regulam," said the literary Hercules. I must confess, that to me this seems good sense. In like manner, the discovery of a few Swallows, a few Turkey-Buzzards, a single Humming-Bird, or a few birds of any other species, deemed migratory, in a tor­pid [Page xiii]or other state, during the winter-season, seems rather to strengthen, than to weaken, the argument, that these birds are, in general, migratory birds. If all these birds continued among us, many of them would be found. The labours of one century, or more, in cutting down the timber of the forest, in blowing rocks, in draining mill­ponds, and marshes, would furnish more than five or six instances (and they not always quite so well authenti­cated as we could wish) of Swallows, &c. being found during the winter-season, in a benumbed state.

§. XXVII.

The argument derived from the torpid state into which so many of our animals are observed to fall upon the ap­proach of winter, is of less weight than may, at first sight, be imagined. These animals are much less capable of migrating than the birds. If they were capable of making long journies to more favourable climates, I do not doubt they would make them. For I am persuaded, by a variety of experiments and observations which I have made, and may, perhaps, be induced to communicate to the public at some future period, that most of our hybernating ani­mals go with reluctance into this state. I am even of opinion, that the state of torpidity of many animals is a state of pain and sufferance. This observation, at least, seems to hold good with respect to those animals (and I believe they constitute the greater number of the hybernating animals) which divide the winter between sleeping and wak­ing: which, in other words, under the influence of cold and other causes, fall into a kind of profound sleep, during which the functions of the heart and the lungs are constantly performed; and even that of the stomach and intes­tines, in some measure, goes on: and during all which time, such animals are sensible to the influence of mecha­nical and other stimuli. This class of hybernating quadrupeds often, during the course of the winter, spontaneously awake from their slumber, take food, and fall into slumber, again. I do not, however, imagine, that animals, which are so torpid as to be incapable of being roused by the application of the most powerful stimuli, can be said to be in a state of pain and sufferance. But I believe, that the number of these continual sleepers is very small, even in the coldest climates.

§. XXVIII.

We are certain, that the torpid state of many animals is altogether an accidental circumstance: that is, it is not necessary to the species. I will not assert, with my learned and ingenious friend, Mr. Fabricius, that it is not natural to, nor coeval with, the species. It would be difficult to prove this position: but the position which I have advanced may be maintained. Animals of the same species have often a very extensive range over the world. Thus, the Ursus Lotor, or Raccoon, extends from Lake-Superior to the West-India-Islands, and the warm parts of South-America. The Opossum has a range not much less extensive. I trace the Rattle-Snake (Crotalus horridus) as far north as the Bay of Saguena, on Lake-Huron, and it is known in the country of Brasil. In such extensive tracts of country, these animals are exposed to very different degrees of temperature: on the one hand, to a great alternation of heat and cold; on the other hand, to a perpetual spring and summer. We ought not, therefore, to expect to find any of them torpid in the whole of this extensive range. In fact, several of those animals which become torpid in the northern parts of our country do not fall into this state in the southern and warmer climates.^* As cold, however, is not the only cause of the torpidity of animals, we must not be surprized to find instances of animals becom­ing torpid in climates that are warm. Extreme heat, like extreme cold, seems to predispose the animal system to this state, particularly, perhaps, when there is a deficiency of food.

§. XXIX.

We see that quadrupeds and some other animals do occasionally, during severe winters, migrate to more southern climates. I am assured, that the Bears migrate, in great numbers, every autumn, across the Mississippi, going south (perhaps to the mountains of New-Mexico), in search of a milder climate. In the spring, they return again by [Page xiv]same rout. This migration of the bears is particularly observed at Manchac, on the Mississippi, about the latitude of —. Many other quadrupeds perform similar migrations, both in the old and in the new world.

§. XXX.

Nothing seems more improbable than that a class of animals, such as the greater number of birds, which are ca­pable of rapid and immense flights, should continue in a country in which the winter's cold is generally very intense, and in which, at the same time, the principal articles of their food are not to be procured. But I am far from deny­ing, that some birds do pass their winters with us, either in a torpid state, or otherwise. Some species continue with us pretty regularly: and individuals of many species do occasionally continue with us. I have already observed, that "during our mild winters, several of those species of birds which, in general, are undoubtedly migratory, continue the winter through in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia."^* It must be evident, therefore, that extreme cold is the great cause which compels these animals to retire south. But it is not the only cause. A deficiency of their proper food is another, not much less extensive. The greater number of our birds of the order of passeres feed upon insects, and the seeds and berries of vegetables. These, particularly the former, are not to be procured in the winter-season, in quantity sufficient to answer the demands of the immense number of birds which visit us at other seasons of the year. If our climate were more moderate than it is, and if an abundance of food were at all times to be procured, the number of our Resident Birds would, doubtless, be much greater than it is. It is evident, that a failure of their food is one of the great causes of the migrations of birds. Thus no sooner has the Zizania aquatica (Reed), which is one of the principal foods of the Rice-Birds, shed its seed, than these birds disap­pear, returning southwards.^†

§. XXXI.

Independent on the mildness of the season, and the continuance of an abundance of their favourite kinds of food, individuals (and in some instances large flocks) of many different kinds of migratory birds pass their winters with us. Dr. Darwin observes, that "those swallows that have been hatched too late in the year to acquire their full strength of pinion, or that have been maimed by accident or disease, have been frequently found in the hollows of rocks on the sea coasts, and even under water in" a "torpid state, from which they have been revived by the warmth of a fire."^† I suppose the learned doctor has not completely ascertained the fact, that such swallows were actually hatched later than others, or that they had been maimed by accident or disease. But it is highly probable, that the circumstances which he mentions are some of the cause which compel these and many other kinds of birds to pass their winters in climates, and in situations, very different from those in which the species at large, are, at such times, found.

§ XXXII.

Birds, in migrating, often lose themselves, particularly, perhaps, when they get into the currents of strong winds, to which they must sometimes be obedient. The large flight of Parakeets,^§ which visited the neighbourhood of Al­bany, in the winter of 1780, was no doubt carried thither by a strong westerly wind. Such wanderers, it is pro­bable, often go into a torpid state. It is said, that great numbers of Parakeets (I suppose the Psittacus carolinensis) are sometimes, in the winter-season, found torpid in the hollows of trees, in North-Carolina. Admitting the fact, is it not likely, that these birds have been wanderers, like the New-York flock just mentioned? Accidents of this kind are more frequent than is perhaps imagined. And I do not doubt that to such accidents we must ascribe some of the instances of swallows and other birds being found, in the winter-season, in a state of hybernation. It will be said, that this idea favours the notion, that birds are capable of entering into this state according to their situation. I do really suppose so. Perhaps all birds, all quadrupeds, in short all animals, are capable of this state. Nor are vegetables exempted from it. Those aquatic plants which, at the approach of winter, withdraw themselves to the bottom of the water, and, on the opening of the spring, emerge from their watery bed, may be denominated HYBER­NATING [Page xv]VEGETABLES. Perhaps this name might likewise be applied to those vegetables, which are natives of warm, southern countries, but gradually accommodate themselves to the rigorous winters of northern climates. I think, it was the late Mr. John Hunter who first ventured to conjecture, that man himself is not incapable of be­coming torpid. Professor Fabricius is of the same opinion.^* Nor is it at all improbable. In his internal structure, in the temperature of his blood, man differs in no very essential circumstances from some of those animals, which, in certain climates, almost constantly pass into the torpid state.

§. XXXIII.

It it important for our purpose, in the discussion of the question of the disappearance of birds, that many of those species which are believed to be migratory are annually seen on their passage; in the spring from the south to the north, and in the autumn from the north to the south. Some of these passengers migrate in immense flocks, whilst others go and return more individually. Mr. Bartram has seen, in the autumn, large flocks of all our four species of Swallows, on their return southward from Pennsylvania, through Carolina, Florida, &c. and in the spring on their return to the northward again.^† The immense migrations of the Passenger-Pigeons are well known to every body in this country. I have already hinted at the great flights of Fringilla tristis, Motacilla Sialis, Loxia Cur­virostra, Fringilla — (Hemp-Bird), and Anas canadensis, which are annually observed on their passage to the south.^‡ I might mention a number of other species which move in similar bodies. I shall content myself with men­tioning one. This is the Brown Crane of Pennant. This species is found in Mexico. It is described by Hernandez, who calls it, Toquilcoyotl. ^§ They arrive in Florida and Carolina, from the south, in the months of Hebruary and March. The flocks, which are immense, are heard and seen very high in the air. Their phalanx is in the form of the letter V. They pass over Pennsylvania, the Jersies, New-York, &c. and continue their rout as far north as Hudson's Bay, where they breed, and in the autumn retire to the south again. It is curious, however, that in their return, they do not move in the same form in which they came. They now form two or three circles intersecting each other, often changing the figure of the body, and forming again, as they are joined by other squadrons. Milton's description of the flight of the Common Crane^‖ of the old world equally applies to our species.

§. XXXIV.

I fear, I shall be thought to have taken up too much time in endeavouring to prove, that the greater number of our birds which disappear on the approach of winter, retire to southern and milder climates. Indeed, I am of opinion, that the migration of our birds is a fact so well established in the natural history of these animals, that it will not, in general, be doubted, except by those persons who are propense to doubt on every subject. In Asia, in Africa, and in Europe, where observations on this subject have long been made, the migration of many species has been com­pletely established. In our own times, it has been particularly observed that many species visit different countries of Europe in the spring, and leave them in the autumn, in the same manner as other species visit and leave us at the same seasons of the year.

§. XXXV.

But it is said, we are unable to determine to what particular country these American birds of passage emigrate. This, which respect to many species, is strictly true. The observation, however, does not apply to all the migratory birds which I have mentioned.

§. XXXVI.

It is pretty certain, that some of our migratory birds do not remove to a very great distance. Of this number are those species which even in the depth of winter make their appearance among us when we have a few days of warm and open weather. The Blue-Bird is one of these birds.^* It is probable that it does not often re­move far. Perhaps, it goes to the sea-coast, where the temperature is more equable. Perhaps, however, these birds might, with more propriety, be considered as Residents. They, certainly, sometimes continue with us the whole winter. They may easily find a secure retreat from the winter's cold in the neighbourhood of the sea, and in close thickets of wood. Possibly, those species which are seen among us in mild winters, do not commonly re­tire as far south as the others. But this is only conjecture. We are certain that the Turdus Polyglottos, the Ardea Herodias, and several others, which occasionally winter in Pennsylvania, do not always winter in the southern states.

§. XXXVII.

The greater number of our migratory birds seem to remove to a very considerable distance from us. It is proba­ble, that they pass their winters in the Carolinas, Georgia, the Floridas, Mexico, Surinam, Brasil, and all the warm parts of South-America, and the West-India-Islands. That, in general, they remove farther south than the south­ern parts of the United-States may safely be inferred from the very small number of our birds that is known to hiemate in this part of the country. Thus, the Swallows are no more observed to winter in the southern states than they are in Pennsylvania. And my friend Mr. Bartram assures me, that he does not know more than three of the Spring Birds of Passage that regularly winter in that part of the Union. These are the Muscicapa carolinensis (Cat-Bird), Columba carolinensis (Turtle-Dove), and the Turdus minor, or Little Thrush. They winter as far north as Cape-Fear, in North-Carolina. I do not suppose, however, that this is the whole list of the passenger-birds of Pennsylvania that continue the winter through in the southern states. Some have, probably, escaped Mr. Bartram's observation. At any rate, it will not be doubted, that during very mild winters many species con­tinue in these states, since, during such winters, several species remain in Pennsylvania. I am assured, that the Rice-Birds often pass the whole winter in South-Carolina; and some gentlemen, with whom I have conversed on the subject, are even of opinion, that the species regularly hiemate in that state. This, however, I presume is a mis­take. Mr. Catesby says the Mocking Bird hiemates in Carolina. That it does so occasionally, there can be little doubt: but it is pretty certain, that, in general, it is a migratory bird.^† I suspect that, besides the three species men­tioned by Mr. Bartram, the following birds pretty regularly hiemate in some of the southern states, particularly South-Carolina, and Georgia, and in the country of Florida: Oriolus phoeniceus, Gracula Quiscula, Picus auratus, Picus erythrocephalus, Fringilla pecoris, Alauda alpestris, Charadrius vociferus, Rallus virginianus, Scolopax Gal­linago, and a good many of the Anseres.

§. XXXVIII.

It appears from the works of Hernandez^†, Piso,^‡ and several other writers, that many of the passenger birds of Pennsylvania, and other parts of the United-States, are also natives of Mexico, Brasil, and other southern parts of America. I shall here mention a few of these birds; viz. the Vultur Aura, Psittacus pertinax, Oriolus phoeniceus, Oriolus Baltimore? Gracula Quiscula, Gracula Barita, Picus principalis, Picus carolinus, or Carolina Woodpecker, Alcedo Alcyon? Trochilus Colubris, Columba migratoria, Columba carolinensis, Columba passerina, Turdus Poly­glottos, Turdus minor, Motacilla aurocapilla, Ampelis Garrulus, Emberiza Oryzivora, Emberiza Ciris,* or Painted Bunting, Tanagra cyanea, Tanagra rubra, Muscicapa Tyrannus, or Fork-tail-Flycatcher, Motacilla Sialis, Muscicapa Ruticilla, Motacilla caerulea, Motacilla Guira,* or Guira Warbler, Platalea Ajaja,* or Roseate Spoon-Bill, Ardea canadensis, or Brown Crane, Ardca Nycticorax? Tantalus Loculator,* or Wood-Ibis, Tantalus ruber,* or Scarlet Ibis, Charadrivs Hiaticula,* or Ringed Plover, Charadrius Himantopus, or Long-Legged Plover, Haematopus Ostr [...]legus, or Pied-Oyster-Catcher, Anas sponsa, and many others.^§ This circumstance renders it very probable, that many of our migratory birds pass their winters in these southern climates. How much is it to be wished, that some intelligent naturalists would furnish us with a list of the migratory birds of Mexico, Brasil, the West-India-Islands, &c. noting down, with care, the times of their disappearance from those countries, and the periods of their return to them. This would throw great light upon the difficult question which I am examining. Mean­while, I have little doubt it will be found, that several of these birds visit us about the time they leave the warm countries just mentioned. Some of the birds which I have mentioned, in the above list, are known to migrate from and to Mexico, Brasil, and the West-Indies.

§. XXXIX.

My learned and candid friend Mr. Pennant (whose name I never mention but with pleasure and with gratitude; whose works have contributed much to my information, and whose example has stimulated me to the study of na­tural history) thinks there is the "greatest probability," that numbers of the birds of Kamtschatka are common to North-America, "and that they pass there the seasons of migration."^‖ I may observe, on the other hand, that it is likely that many of the North-American species pass into Asia and Europe, making between these continents and the new-world regular migrations. I think (for I write from memory) that it is Professor Biseke who has lately shown, that several of the North-American birds annually visit the neighbourhood of Mittau, in Courland. Among others, I particularly recollect that this writer mentions the Loxia Cardinalis, or Cardinal Grosbeak. In the farther investigation of the subject of the migration of birds, we shall discover, that many species (many more than is generally imagined) are common to the old and to the new-world; and that several species are occasionally passing into countries which before they had not visited. I am not afraid, that genuine naturalists will suppose, that the regularity of migration, which I have mentioned, between the two continents, is altogether imaginary. I certainly do not carry my birds as far, in search of food, of resting places, and of better climes, as did Cotton Mather, of New-England, who fancied that the Wild-Pigeons, on leaving us, repaired "to some undiscovered Satellite, accompanying the Earth at a near Distance."^¶