212 



OF THE SWALLOWS IN GENERAL. 



tiful songster, While singing it agitates the crest on its head, but 

 shows scarcely any of that swelling in the throat so preceptible in the 

 Canary and other singing birds. 



The length of the bird is rather more than eight inches. 



THE JAPANESE CHATTERER. 



This is a species found in Japan, with naked nostrils, and without 

 yhe usual wax-like appendages to the wings which give this genua 

 the name of Waxwing. It is ash-colored, with an ash-colored and red 

 crest. 



OF THE SWALLOWS IX GENERAL. 



The bill of the Swallow is short broad at the base, small at the 



point, and some- 

 what bent. The 

 nostrils are open. 

 The tongue is b"iiort, 

 broad, and cloven. 

 The tail, except in 

 one species is fork- 

 ed ; and the wings 

 are long. Tlie legs 

 are short, and (ex- 

 cept in four species, 

 ill wliich they are 

 ;ill placed forward) 

 tlie toes are placed 

 three before and one 

 behind. 



Swallows are 

 easily distinguished 

 from all other birds, 

 not only by their 

 general structure, but by their twittering voice, and their manner 

 of life. They fly with great rapidity, seldom walk, and perform all 

 their functions either on the wing or sitting. By means of their 

 wide mouth they easily catch insects in the air, or on the surface of 

 tlie water ; and on these they subsist. 



Naturalists have been much divided in their opinions respecting the 

 migration of the Swallow tribe from this country. 



That the actual migration of the Swallow tribe does take place, haa 

 been fully proved from a variety of well-attested facts ; most of which 

 have been taken from the observation of navigators who were eye- 

 witnesses of their flights, and whose ships have sometimes afforded td 

 them resting-places in their toilsome journeys. 



THE SWALLOW. 



