|6 I'HB 8WALL0V^. 



Th6 nature of the Swallow's nest is worthy our serion» 

 observation : how the mud is extracted from the sea-shores^ 

 rivers, or other watery places; how masoned and formed 

 into a solid building, strong enough to support a whole 

 family, and to face the " pelting storm," are wonders which 

 ought to raise our mind to Him who bestowed that instinct 

 upon them. 



ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTE. 



It is related that a pair of Swallows built their nest for 

 fcwo successive years on the handle of a pair of garden 

 shears, that were stuck up against the boards in an out- 

 house; and, therefore, must have had their nest spoiled 

 whenever the implement was wanted. And what is still 

 more strange, a bird of the same species built its nest on 

 the wings and body of an owl that happened to hang dead 

 and dry from the rafters of a bam, and so loose as to be 

 moved by every gust of wind. This owl, with the nest on 

 its wings, and with eggs in the nest, was taken to the 

 museum of Sir Ashton Lever as a curiosity. That gentle- 

 man, struck with the singularity of the sight, furnished the 

 person who brought it with a large shell, desiring him to 

 fix it just where the owl had hung. The man did sc ; and 

 in the following year a pair of Swallows, probably the same, 

 built their nest in the shelly and laid eggs. 



