564 HIRUNDO RUSTICA. 



slight opening of the mouth he contended for, I answer that it 

 is not in the least necessary, for the bird on coming close to an 

 insect can no doubt open its bill to receive it, and that, having 

 closely watched Swallows, I have failed to see their open mouths, 

 and cannot believe the statement, until a respectable witness 

 assures me that he has satisfied himself as to its accuracy. The 

 sight of a Swallow must be extremely acute, when it can per- 

 ceive a minute insect in the midst of its rapid career, and when 

 it may often be seen abruptly to deviate several feet or even 

 yards in order to seize one. 



This species, like the others, besides perching on a twig or 

 branch with ease, is also frequently seen to settle on the roof of a 

 house, a chimney, or a wall ; and it can walk, although only in 

 a hobbling manner, on the ground, where it sometimes alights 

 as if to pick up insects which it has observed there. I have often 

 seen Swallows so employed, when, on going up, I could per- 

 ceive nothing. 



Sometimes, over a pool, you may see a multitude of Swal- 

 lows collected in a quiet evening. As the insects are abundant, 

 they fly more leisurely, and sweep in smaller curves, than on 

 ordinary occasions, so that their actions may be here more satis- 

 factorily studied than when they are flying at large. Every now 

 and then, you observe one flutter over the water, and pick up 

 an insect from its surface. On such an occasion I have seen two 

 settle on a heap of soft cow dung, and holding up their wings 

 and tail, and raising their body as high as possible on their 

 short legs, pick up the insects which had attracted their notice. 



Often over a lake or river or canal, you see them picking up 

 in their rapid and graceful flight, the insects that float on the 

 surface, or that have been drowned. On such occasions, they 

 frequently stop suddenly on coming up, spread out their tail, 

 raise their wings, flutter for a moment, and dash off". But 

 sometimes also they pick up the insect in full career, by skim- 

 ming the water in a gentle curve. Whether they actually drink 

 on wing I cannot affirm ; the fact seems doubtful ; at least I 

 have seen Swallows drink in the ordinary manner. One, for 

 example, alighted on the street, hobbled to the gutter, and 

 there sipped imtil satisfied. 



