290 Wi^d Birds and their Haunts 



refutes the somewhat fantastical idea that they bury them- 

 selves in the soil, or remain in a torpid state in our own 

 land, during the winter. 



Now to its generic markings. The adult male has the 

 head and upper parts deep steel blue, running into a black 

 band ; the fore part of the head and throat deep chestnut ; 

 the belly and feet of a reddish- white, tinged with brown ; 

 a large white spot on the inner webs of most of the 

 feathers ; the outer feathers narrowing towards the ends. 

 The coloration of the female is more sombre, and the fore- 

 head shows a darker chestnut. There are instances of 

 pure white coloration throughout. When in search of 

 commissariat they hunt in small colonies and are most 

 easily discernible by their flight. 



THE PASSING OF THE SWALLOW. 



The question whether this bird in its species or 

 family does really leave this country in the fall of the 

 year has exercised the minds of naturalists in every 

 age, and from time immemorial, and it would be well 

 to weigh the pros and cons as to the truth. The task is 

 a big one, inasmuch as the mind and observations of 

 mortal man are infinitely inferior to so gigantic a work as 

 finding out Nature, that is, God. The more one probes 

 into the whys and wherefores of the laws of Nature the 

 more insignificant does the created being feel himself 

 before the Maker of all. 



In this connection, however, it would be well to scan 

 superficially the opinions expressed from time to time, 

 and probably some who peruse these lines may be inclined 

 to offer suggestions, as in the recent literary debate which 

 my notes on " Can fishes hear ? " produced. 



Observers, past and present, are divided in opinion on 

 this very interesting subject. The regular appearance and 

 disappearance of some species of birds excited the curiosity 

 of observers in all ages, and led to many conjectures 

 respecting its causes. 



It was long alleged and believed that swallows, instead 

 of removing to warmer climates, lie concealed in fissures 



