SWALLOW. 133 



marking, but they cannot well be confused with any 

 others except those of the Cirl Bunting; some are pale 

 purple-white colour, streaked and speckled with dark 

 reddish brown ; some have been known of a red 

 colour, with reddish-brown streaks and lines ; others 

 entirely of a stone colour ; others quite white, and 

 others again stone colour, marbled in the usual way ; 

 and we could add even to this list, but perhaps this 

 is sufficient to show the almost infinite variety in the 

 colour and markings of the eggs of this common bird. 



The male bird takes his share in hatching with the 

 female, which is also the case with the Cirl Bunting. 



SWALLOW. 



HIRUNDO RUSTICA. 

 Family Passerid^. Sub-family Hirundinin.^. Genus 



HiRUNDO. 



Chimney Swallow — House Swallow — Barn Swallow. 



"The Swallows have returned! " Who, on hearing 

 this, will not admit that there is something cheering 

 and inspiriting in the knowledge that these little birds 

 have come back, bringing with them the announcement 

 of another spring begun, and another winter ended ? 

 Referring to some old notes, I find, " 12th March, 1884 

 — Swallows said to have been seen near Bossington 

 (Hants)". This date is certainly very early for the 

 arrival of our friends, and is probably incorrect, the 

 ordinary time being the second week in April, though 

 not infrequently they arrive during the first week, 

 and have been known to be as late as the second 

 week in May. They leave us again in September or 

 the commencement of October, previous to which time 



