The Natural History of Selborne

Thomas Knight, a sober hind, assures us, that this day on Wish-hanger Common between Hedleigh & Frinsham he was several Bank Martins playing in & out, & hanging before some nest-holes in a sand-hill, where these birds usually nestle.  This incident confirms my suspicions, that this species of Hirundo is to be seen first of any; & gives great reason to suppose that they do not leave their wild haunts at all, but are secreted amidst the clefts, & caverns of these abrupt cliffs where they usually spend their summers.  The late severe weather considered, it is not very probable that these birds should have migrated so early from a tropical region thro’ all these cutting winds and pinching frosts: but it is easy to suppose that they may like bats & flies, have been awakened by the influence of the Sun, amidst their secret latebrae, where they have spent the uncomfortable foodless months in a torpid state, & the profoundest of slumbers.  There is a large pond at Wish-hanger which induces these sand-martins to frequent that district.  For I have ever remarked that they haunt near great waters, either rivers or lakes.  Planted in one of the quarters of the garden, in ground well-dunged, 8 long rows of potatoes.  Carted in hot dung for the cucumber-bed.