Quote
The amazing number of swallows that are at this time flying in London, is a very uncommon appearance – They seem to have been unexpectedly prevented from emigrating, by the severe cold weather we have had for some days past, since the wind has been northerly; they fly in at windows, and are so tamed, or numbed, that boys catch them in the streets as they are flying.
— Salisbury and Winchester Journal, Monday 01 October, 1781 (source)