THB SWALLOW. 46 



THE SWALLOW. (IRrundo rustica.) 



The second order of birds, Insessoresj or Perching BirdS| 

 includes an immense number of genera and species. We 

 shall notice the more interesting, without troubling our 

 readers with their numerous subdivisions. We commence 

 with the Swallow, as one of the most common. 



Swallows are easily distinguished from all other birds, 

 not only by their general structure, but by their twittering 

 note and mode of flying, or rather darting from place to 

 place. 



They appear in the temperate regions in April, and build- 

 ing in some out-honse, or in part of a human dwelling, they 

 lay their eggs and hatch their young. About August 

 they disappear, and do not return till the following spring. 

 Swallows kept in a cage moult about Christmas, and seldom 

 live till spring. 



There are several species of the Swallow : the general 

 characters, a small beak, but large wide mouth, for the pur- 

 pose of swallowing flying insects, their natural food ; and 

 long forked tail and extensive wings, to enable them to 

 pursue their prey, belong to all of them. The common 

 house Swallow builds under the eaves of houses, or in 

 chimneys, near their top : the Martin also builds under 

 eaves, and very commonly against the upper comer or side 

 of our very windows, and seems not afraid at the sight of 

 man, yet it cannot be tamed, or even kept long in a cage 



