THE SWALLOW 257 



along the country highways, over the house-tops and 

 the hedges and trees, or circHng in higher flight in 

 the air far overhead ; threading their way amongst 

 the feeding cattle, or down the narrow lanes of*the 

 country villages ; now just along the grass and 

 flowers ; now striking the water as they dip to drink 

 or to catch the insects, or with an upward soar into 

 the higher atmosphere ; then back to earth again, or- 

 to the roof of an outbuilding, a dead branch, or a tele- 

 graph-wire to rest a moment, alighting with rapidly 

 moving wings until firmly seated. Another very 

 attractive fact connected with the Swallow is its habit 

 of returning year after year to the old accustomed 

 haunts ; faithful little wanderers that remain true to 

 their old home notwithstanding their distant wander- 

 ings to warmer lands and their months of absence. 



Very soon after arriving in our islands the 

 Swallow may be heard in song. This song is both 

 loud and sweet, a varied warbling melody uttered 

 not only when the bird is coursing rapidly through 

 the air, but when it is at rest. It is a song in every 

 way harmonizing with the resdess buoyant nature 

 of the pretty singer, and his dashing rapid flight. 

 As likely as not the observer may suddenly hear 

 an unfamiliar song sounding he scarce knows where, 

 but certainly some distance away. Nearer and 

 nearer it comes, louder and louder, until at last the 

 flying Swallow is noticed overhead singing as he 

 flies. The song is often continued for a minute or 



