570 HIRUNDO RUSTICA. 



particularly in fine mild evenings, observed that our little band 

 of hirundines assemble in a flock about sunset, and perform 

 beautiful aerial evolutions. From their numbers, I am in- 

 clined to think that all the females come abroad, and stretch 

 their wearied limbs. Frequently does the male visit the spot 

 so dear to him, cheering his mate with songs, and probably 

 supplying her with food. His song is always pleasing, and 

 agreeable to my taste, more especially when the crimson clouds 

 in the west foretel the close of day, and the minstrel may be seen 

 perched on a chimney-can, or some other eminence. The de- 

 scending sun shoots bands of softened light over our quiet 

 valley, gilding the hoary rocks of Traprain Law, and causing the 

 bright chestnut on the Swallow's forehead and throat to glisten, 

 as in ecstasy he moves his body in a semicircle, seeming to 

 throw his whole soul into the performance. 



" When the young are hatched, the parents attend to their 

 wants with unwearied assiduity. They are fond of flying about 

 in the vicinity of cattle while feeding, on account of the great 

 number of insects raised by them. When our working horses 

 are turned loose to graze, at 10 in the morning, and again at 6 

 in the evening, they are in constant attendance, more especially 

 if the weather is cold and cloudy. For hours together they 

 may be seen sweeping over a pond or ditch, along footpaths 

 and lanes, but above all, shady avenues, and amongst trees, 

 where cattle are wont to pass the sultry noon, and returning to 

 feed their young every two or three minutes. 



" The first brood is fledged about the same time as that of 

 the White-rumped species. They follow the old birds, utter- 

 ing quick expressive notes. At a given signal, one of them 

 rises obliquely, and meets its parent at an angle. Hovering for 

 a few seconds, it greedily devours the proftered mouthful. I 

 have never seen them fed when perched on a tree or paling, as 

 mentioned in the Natural History of Selborne ; but I have seen 

 them when tired settle in such situations, and rise on wing to 

 receive food from their parents. The young are soon left to 

 shift for themselves. They frequent churches, manor halls, dis- 

 tilleries, and other lofty buildings. In this district, Linton dis- 

 tillery is the favourite place of rendezvous. About the second 



