AVE S- SWALLOW. 5G7 



This bird is twelve inches and a half long ; the whole upper parts are a 

 bluish slate color, round the neck is a collar of pure white; the head is 

 large, and crested ; the feathers are long, and generally erect ; the breast is 

 blue and brown, the under parts white. 



ORDER VIII.— CHELIDONE S. 



Birds of this order have the bill very short, much depressed, and very wide 

 at the base ; the upper mandible curved at the point ; legs short, three toes 

 before, either entirely divided, or connected at the base by a short mem- 

 brane, the hinder often reversible ; claws much hooked ; wings long. The 

 flight of these birds is rapid and abrupt, their sight piercing; neck short; 

 throat wide, bill broad, and often gaping for the reception of insects, which 

 constitute their only food. 



THE SWALLOW. i 



The swallow tribe is very numerous. These birds have a peculiar twit- 

 tering voice, fly with extreme rapidity, scarcely ever walk, and perform all 

 their functions while they are on the wing or sitting. Their plumage is 

 glossed with a rich purple. 



To the martens, and other small birds, the swallow announces the ap- 

 proach of birds of prey. By a shrill alarming note, he summons around 

 him all his own species and the martens, as soon as an owl or hawk appears. 

 The whole band then pursue and strike their enemy till they expel him from 

 the place; darting down on his back, and rising in a perpendicular line with 

 perfect security. The swallow will also strike at cats while they are climb- 

 ing the roofs of houses. 



Early in the spring, when the solar beams begin to rouse the insect tribes 

 from their annua] state of torpidity, the swallow is seen returning from its 

 long migrations beyond the ocean ; and in proportion as the weather grows 

 warmer, and its insect supply increases, it gathers strength and activity. 

 The breed of the swallow ought to be cherished, as the bird is of infinite 

 service to mankind, by destroying myriads of vermin which would prove 

 fatally prejudicial to the labors of the husbandman. 



Of the swallow tribe, all the birds have been observed to drink while in 

 their flight, sipping the surface of the water. It is, however, generally 



l The genus Hirundo, which embraces most of the swallows, has the bill short, triangu- 

 lar, broad at the base, depressed, cleft near to the eyes ; upper mandible slightly hooked 

 at the tip ; nostrils basal, oblong, partly closed by a membrane, surmounted by feathers in 

 front ; legs short, with slender toes and claws ; three toes before, the exterior united to the 

 first joint of the middle one; one behind ; wings long; the first quill the longest; tail of 

 twelve feathers, mostly forked. 



