258 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



more ; but the bird is by no means a persistent or 

 a regular singer, breaking out into music at fitful 

 intervals, and perhaps most frequently after the 

 young are abroad, in the late summer. Another 

 interesting fact about the Swallow's song is that 

 many young males begin to sing very soon after 

 they are able to fly. This song is an uneven one, 

 much more melodious in some parts than in others, 

 some of the notes being harsh and chattering, but 

 these are punctuated with others of exceptional 

 sweetness and beauty — a peculiarity of much avine 

 music besides that of the Swallow. 



The Swallow, in our opinion, pairs for life, and 

 annually returns to the same spot to breed, although 

 not using the same nest each season as the House 

 Martin unquestionably does. The nest is generally 

 made in a building of some kind — little preference 

 seems to be manifested, as long as there are ready 

 means of egress. Holes in trees, and rocks and 

 caves are resorted to exceptionally, and there can 

 be little doubt that in prehistoric ages these were 

 the usual situations. Throughout the period of its 

 stay with us the Swallow is more or less gregarious, 

 and it breeds in colonies whose size is determined 

 to a great extent by the amount of accommodation 

 offered. The nest is usually placed upon a rafter, a 

 stone projecting from the wall, or on any other ledge 

 that may offer a suitable support. It is a saucer- 

 shaped structure made externally of little pellets of 



