2S6 Zoology, 



A pair of martins had built their nest in the corner of 

 my window; I did not remark any thing particular during 

 the time they were so employed, excepting that I per- 

 ceived one of them was the same which had visited the same 

 place the previous year. I knew it again, from a remark- 

 able white feather in one of its wings. As soon, however, 

 as all seemed finished, my attention was arrested one day 

 by a great noise and bustle at the nest, caused by a stranger 

 of the same family of birds trying to force its way into the 

 nest at the time the two rightful tenants were within ; and, 

 notwithstanding their united efforts, he succeeded in entering, 

 and driving them out. This same warfare, and similar ex- 

 pulsions, took place daily, for a week or more. One day, 

 I remarked that the two rightful owners of the nest were very 

 busy outside, and I soon perceived that they were engaged 

 in lessening the entrance into the same ; in fact, they soon 

 reduced it so much, that they could scarcely force them- 

 selves into it singly. As soon as done, one or other con- 

 stantly placed itself at the hole, with its bill protruding 

 visibly without; and though the intruder made regular 

 attacks upon them for a week or more, he never afterwards 

 made any impression on them, and finally left them to 

 enjoy the reward of so much sagacity and forethought. Surely 

 no human being could have thought or done better to over- 

 come the attack of an enemy on his house, than these birds 

 did in barring up the entrance to their nest from their adver- 

 sary. 



The second observation will show great thought and rea- 

 soning in a pair of these birds, which took a fancy to build 

 their nest in a corner, under an open staircase, in the yard 

 of the house I inhabit. As the stairs sheltered them from 

 wind and weather above, they gave up the additional trouble 

 of putting on a top to the nest, as they usually do, and made 

 the nest like that of most other birds, the boards above being 

 shelter enough for them. 



The third and last observation which I shall make, refers 

 to the very strong attachment which these birds (swallows) 

 must have to places where once they have found security ; 

 for this, I conceive, is the main principle which attracts 

 them. On this same house is an old moving iron chimney, 

 placed there to prevent it from smoking : the fireplace be- 

 neath, however, having been bricked up, it became a safe 

 place for building in ; and, no doubt, the birds remarked that 

 it was such. In the very hood or top of this machine, moved 

 about by every wind, and making withal a most hideous 

 noise, from its being out of repair, I have seen these birds, 

 for two succeeding years, build their nest ; and often, for five 



