* 
202 SYNOPSIS AND ALPHABETICAL ANDES 
See above. Confident to the extent of not fearing inter- 
ference, though building often in thickly populated 
places (but the nests are always inaccessible). Keep 
to the same locality, and return yearly to same nest. 
Many build together, probably because the site is suit- 
able. Parents and young flock together (often in very 
large numbers) about the middle of October for migra- 
tion, waiting for a favourable (generally north or north- 
east or north-west) wind, and then all leave simultan- 
eously. Some (chiefly young) remain to winter, but per- 
ish then. Perch sometimes on branches, telegraph wires, 
and on the ground. Arrive (in early April), a few days 
after the swallow (probably because less swift of flight). 
Length: 54 inches (about). Note: A feeble pleasant 
twitter (especially when feeding young), but if alarmed 
(by a cat, hawk, cuckoo, etc.), a piercing shrill ‘ shriek.’ 
Food: Insects, taken on the wing, or from walls, etc. 
(In fine still weather insects fly high, and the house. 
martins—and swallows—will then be seen flying high 
too.) Plumage: See above. Beak very short. Wings 
(seen when clinging to nests, etc.), reach to end of tail 
forks. Male and females: Alike, except that the white 
of the female is not so pure, and chest and chin greyish. 
Nest: April. Sztwated : See above. Second nests : Two 
broods yearly in same nest. Made of : Wet pellets of 
clay and mud, said to be made adhesive by the bird’s 
saliva. Eggs: Pure white (no spots). Four or five. 
