SWALLOW. 325 



have we resumed our walk than it re-appears ; this 

 time, perhaj)S, coming straight at us in its headlong 

 flight; till, with one stroke of its nimble wing, it is 

 over the fence and far awaj on the other side, or, rising 

 almost perpendicularly, passes high over head ; then 

 descending again and almost sweeping the ground, 

 hurries on its way as we tui-n to watch it. In our towns 

 and villages, where the swallows nest in the chimneys 

 of old fashioned houses or more humble cottages, they 

 are seen continually flying backwards and forwards close 

 under the eaves, or occasionally attempting a lower 

 level when a brief cessation of traffic in the streets 

 leaves an open course. Suddenly, stopping in his swift 

 career, the male revisits his sitting mate in some long 

 frequented chimney, and cheers her labours with his soft 

 guttural notes either perched on the brick-work, or 

 hovering like a kestrel over the entrance to the nest. 

 If we change the scene and seek the cool refreshing 

 breeze upon the sea-shore, the swallow joins us in our 

 summer ramble, feasting on the sand-flies as it skims 

 along the beach, its graceful form reflected on the 

 moist sands ; or, in short flights out to sea, just tops 

 the crests of the little billows and the weed-covered 

 rocks exposed by the tide. Again, in a summer cruise 

 upon the broads and rivers, though not so generally 

 dispersed, and far less numerous than either the house 

 or sand-martins, the swallow still comes to meet us as 

 we approach the "Ferry," or some lone farm-house, 

 or marsh-man's cottage near to the waterside. Occa- 

 sionally, also, even further from the habitations of man, 

 we find a pair or two frequenting some large wooden 

 marsh-mill, passing in and out through the door and 

 windows to their nests amongst the rafters in the upper 

 story. As a rule, however, I have invariably noticed 

 that the swallow, whether in its search for food or merely 

 sportive flights, does not wander so far fi'om its nesting 



