Humans create ideas to explain natural phenomenon. Most of these explanations are worth little more than the cinders that Beachcombing nightly sweeps up from the fire. These explanations are then superseded by other explanations – that typically bear as little relation to truth – and so knowledge marches heroically on… Inevitably, though some branches of humanity can’t keep up – memos from central office cease to get through - and these relicts cling quaintly to the ideas of yesterday.
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Three families of birds are well known to exhibit torpidity in response to unfavourable weather conditions - Hummingbirds, Nightjars and Swifts.
It would be understandable for someone to mistake a swift for a swallow, and torpidity for hibernation, and thus promote the overall story.
See http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=MU9850200.pdf
I'm not sure where I first read about swifts hibernating in belfries or church spires - possibly in Buckland or Gilbert White, but like many things it has an origin in a real observation incorrectly interpreted.
W.
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