148 LAND-BIRDS. 



gone (and I have seen them here as late as the twenty-third). 

 The}^ congregate " upon the salt marshes during the latter part 

 of August and first of Sej)tember, literally by millions ; the air 

 is so completely filled with them that it is almost impossible to 

 discharge a gun without killing some " (Maynard). They may 

 also be seen at that season perched in long lines on fences, 

 ridge-poles, and wires, or slowly moving through the air at a 

 considerable height, generally in large flocks, catching insects 

 as they fly. In spring they travel more often singly, and fly 

 rather indirectly but with great rapidity, no doubt occasionally 

 deviating from their course to seize a passing gnat or fly. 



In summer they are to be found in nearly all the cultivated 

 districts of Massachusetts, and in many of the wild as well as 

 other districts of more northern lands, where, in many places, 

 they retain their primitiv^e habit of nesting in hollow trees, as, 

 says Mr. Maynard, they have also nested lately at IjDswich, in 

 this State. As, however, they are now rather dependent upon 

 the nesting-places provided by man, they are perhaps as com- 

 mon in Boston and other cities as in the country, if not more 

 so. They are less locally distributed than other species, and 

 on this account are probably better known. They are, I 

 think, quicker in their motions than the other Swallows, and 

 also differ from them in not being colonial, except in their 

 primitive state, though several sometimes occupy apartments 

 in the same box, and thus show the social spirit of their family. 

 They often skim over fields, ponds, or rivers, with an exquisite 

 grace, but at other times mount to a great height — so far as to 

 be wellnigh lost to sight. They are less peaceable than the 

 Barn Swallows, and often quarrel in the air at the period of 

 mating ; but this species is justly regarded, among all our 

 birds, as one of man's most pleasing companions. 



The White-bellied Swallows are fond of wandering, more so 

 than their relatives, and often may be seen two or three miles 

 from their homes, now flying across the valleys, now dashing 

 above the hills, and now gliding over the water, as if actually 

 on its surface. Embodiments of grace, activity, and power, 

 they sweep through the air, and show us by their ever varied 

 flight how many things have been created to give us pleasure 

 from variety alone, as well as from intrinsic beauty. 



