BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 269 



to make it familiar to all, and its seasonal appearances and 

 disappearances a matter of common knowledge. 



No description of the Swallow's plumage is necessary, 

 but it may be well to mention its song. The familiar 

 twitter is not its only note, for it has a short and simple 

 but pleasing song, usually uttered when the bird is perched 

 beside its nest, and not audible at any great distance. 



Examples may appear in the south of England early in 

 March, and numbers by the third week ; but two or three 

 weeks later may be taken as the date of the chief influx. 

 In the north of Scotland the Swallow is found only in 

 small numbers till the first few days of May, and in the 

 extreme north and the outlying islands it is at no time 

 abundant. A steady decrease in numbers continues from 

 early September to the middle of October ; but a few 

 frequently remain much longer, and individuals have 

 been known to survive a mild winter. 



Caves, although probably the original nesting-places of 

 the Swallow, are seldom resorted to now. The rafters 

 of farm buildings are favourite nesting - sites, and its 

 preference for the wide chimneys of old-fashioned houses 

 has earned for it the name ' Chimney-Swallow.'' Numerous 

 curious nesting-sites are on record : a forked branch, a 

 hanging glass lamp-shade, and the wings and body of a 

 dead and diy Owl that happened to hang from a rafter 

 in a barn. 



The nest is composed of mud strengthened with pieces 

 of straw. The shape varies according to the exigencies of 

 the site, but is normally * like half a deep dish.' Although 

 support may often be utilised, it does not appear to be 

 essential, as nests may be found against smooth and ver- 

 tical surfaces. A lining of small feathers and soft grass 

 is added. On this the four to six eggs — white, speckled 

 with gray and reddish brown — are laid. 



