NOTES ON THE HABITS OF SOME COMMON BIRDS. 51 
The following notes on the habits of some common species may, 
perhaps, prove interesting to the members of the Society :— 
SwaLiow (Hirundo rustica, Linn.). 
_ Three summers ago a pair of swallows built their nest under 
the roof of an out-house, and in due course brought out their 
brood. A few days after the first appearance of the birds next 
season, a pair were seen entering the house where the nest of the 
previous year still remained. This nest they at once took 
possession of, and renewed its lining with a few fresh feathers. 
One day, shortly afterwards, a great commotion was heard 
amongst the swallows, and it became evident that a battle was in 
progress. The noise was renewed at short intervals for about two 
hours ; and in the afternoon, when the commotion had subsided, 
I entered the house to learn, if possible, the cause of the 
disturbance, and ascertain if the nest had been interfered with by 
any of the combatants. When passing beside a narrow barrel- 
shaped washing-tub, which at that time contained only a little 
soapy moisture at the bottom, I happened to look inside, and was 
surprised to observe two small objects much resembling a pair of 
drowned mice. These proved to be a pair of swallows, which 
seemed, from their exhausted condition and utterly miserable 
appearance, to have been in the tub for not less than two or three 
hours. In their efforts to escape, the feathers of their wings had 
become very much abraded, as well as drenched with the soapy 
water. When I took the birds out, they were too feeble to fly 
away ; and although I held them in my hand for some time, and 
afterwards laid them in the sunshine, nearly an hour elapsed 
before they had fully recovered. At least six or seven swallows 
seemed to take an interest in the progress of the battle, and flew 
in and out of the house, uttering their shrill cries; but whether 
they were all engaged as combatants, or merely as on-lookers, 
could not be determined. There can be little doubt, however, 
that the prompt occupation of the old nest by one pair of birds 
had disappointed another pair of intending tenants, and that the 
latter had attempted to eject their more successful rivals. It is, 
of course, impossible to say whether the pair that took possession 
of the nest were the parent birds of the previous year, or whether 
these had re-paired and were striving together for the nest, or 
