THE SWALLOWS. 



The Second Family of the passerine order is composed of the birds so familiar to all 

 in this country as well as to the people in many other lands — the Swallows or hirun- 

 d'inkta'. The birds of this race are characterised by those peculiarities of beak to which 

 attention has been directed in connexion -with the preceding family. Their tarsi are 

 exceedingly short and small, and the toes are armed with hooked nails, which give them 

 great tenacity of hold when clinging to the perpendicular walls of buildings or cliffs. 

 As their food consists only of insects, which have to be captured on the wing, these birds 

 are also endowed with great vigour and activity of flight, and they are enabled to sweep 

 through the air with that velocity and grace which ever makes their m.ovements interest- 

 .ing to contemplate. 



TH% SWIFT.* 



The swift is one of the largest birds connected with this familj'. It appears in this 

 country early in May, ha\'ing winged its flight from the shores of Africa, probably by 

 the same route as that pursued by the swallow and martin. The steeples of our A'illage 

 churches may then be seen surrounded by them, whore they wheel their rapid courses in 

 pursuit of food, while their nests will be found beneath the eaves or tiles of some of the 

 adjoining hoiiscs. Their ne.sts are composed of dried grass, lined with feather.*!, bits of 

 rag or feathers apparently glued together with some raucoxis secretion, which is believed 

 to be produced from the bird. The eggs are usually two in number, though there are 

 occasionally more ; thoy are white in colour and oblong in sliapo. Tlie hon is very 

 tenacious of her duties dui-ing the season of mcubalion, but liaving sat hard all day, she 

 will rush out just before dark, snatching a scanty meal, and stretching her stiff" and 

 weary limbs for a few minutes ; she then returns to her nest. At night botli pareni 

 birds sit on the nest, or at any rate botli roost in the same hole. 



It is a remarkable fact, which has been ascertained by Dr. Jenner, that the swallow 

 iribc^ag well as probably some oflu^r bird.S — having absented themselves for such long 

 intervals ai? are consumed after their migration, yet return not only to the same country 



* Oypscliej Apu». 



