RED-FRONTEU SWALLOW. .563 



labours. In the meantime a continued cheeping is kept up in 

 the flock, although each bird emits generally only a single note 

 at a time, which is occasionally responded to by one or more of 

 the rest. I have seen the young birds betake themselves to the 

 upper twigs of a tree for the purpose of resting, and on many oc- 

 casions have seen both young and old so perch for a while. 



The flight of this species, wdien in pursuit of its prey, over 

 a low meadow, or among trees, or by a hedge, is wavering 

 and as if undecided, although the inflections are no doubt made 

 on purpose. It seldom shoots directly forward to any distance, 

 but winds and turns in all directions, sometimes ascends or 

 descends abruptly, wheels in wide circles, or skims along with 

 an undulatory motion. The fla])s or strokes of the wings are 

 performed in a soft and sedate manner, and in its ordinary 

 flight the tail is but very slightly spread. The use of that or- 

 gan however is apparent at every turn, for then it may be seen 

 expanded or closed, bent to either side, or directed downwards 

 or upwards. 



The Red-fronted Swallow occasionally associates with the 

 AVhite-rumped species and the Bank Swallow ; at least, they 

 may all be seen together pursuing their prey over the same 

 field. In windy weather, they collect in the shelter of walls, 

 hedges, trees, or thickets ; and, in rain, fly under the trees. 

 When there is thin rain, or drizzling mist, they generally fly 

 low ; but in fine clear weather, they may be seen sporting in 

 the open air — not that they are merely amusing themselves in 

 their aerial rambles, but that their flight, being so buoyant, grace- 

 ful, and varied, suggests the idea of play rather than of labour. 

 I have carefully watched this species as it flew past, often with- 

 in a few yards of me, to discover whether it keeps its mouth 

 open, and I am decidedly of opinion, that in flying, it invari- 

 ably retains the mandibles in close apposition, until it comes 

 up to an insect. Indeed, the notion of its flying with open 

 mouth is preposterous, although several excellent ornithologists 

 have entertained it ; for were swallows to proceed in this man- 

 ner, there being no special apparatus for closing their oesopha- 

 gus, the extreme velocity with which they rush against the air, 

 would necessarily force it into their stomach. If a partial or 



