280 On the Swallow. 
structed a regular arch, and over this arch carried up a super- 
structure of exquisite workmanship for delicacy and lightness of 
execution, and covered in the whole habitation, leaving the en- 
trance in the weakest part, now rendered secure by the slight- 
ness of the work and lightness of the materials.—Should this 
nest have the good fortune to stand out the storms of winter, I 
hope by the return of summer to have an opportunity of seeing 
and attending to the mode of feeding their young, through the 
uncovered part of the glass; by this ‘L can see all passing within 
the nest from the light transmitted through the opening.—Their 
mode of feeding, from what I have already observed, differs from 
that of other birds, who feed all in rotation, pick about. The 
swallows, so soon As the young are able to move themselves for- 
ward to the entrance of the nest, allow one to take possession of 
the opening and remain there, receiving and swallowing every 
fly that is brought by the dam and sire, till completely gorged. 
He then turns round, lets fall his drop, and retires to rest, when 
another takes his place, acts in the same manner, and retires 
from the same cause, giving place to the rest in rotation. The 
swallows no sooner get the first brood (which in good weather is 
generally about the Ist of July) fairly on wing, than they, as if 
conscious of the value of their time, instantly commence their 
second incubation, and have their second brood abroad by about 
the middle of September, after which no further attempt is made 
to breed. The remaiuing part of their time is occupied in train- 
ing the young for their ultimate flight. This is conducted with 
great regularity and order for ten or twelve days before the final 
departure. After the business of food gathering for the day is 
over, they assemble in multitudes from all quarters and of all kinds 
in one general convention upon the roof of the drying-house, 
chanting their little song or evening hymn. While the assembly 
are all seated on the roof, one (who seems commander-in-chief) 
keeps aloft on wing, flying round and round; at last darting with 
great swiftness from the rest, with a loud, sharp, and repeated 
call, he gives the word of command. That instant all is silent. 
The whole are instantly on the wing, directing their flight in 
perfect order, rising upwards in the most beautiful spiral track, 
and are in. a moment beyond the reach of human eye. 
In a quiet night they may be heard after they are not seen.— 
They remain in the upper regions of the atmosphere for, perhaps, 
a quarter to half an hour, when they all return by scores and do- 
zens to the place from whence they took their flight. This they 
will repeat twice or thrice in an evening when the weather is fair 
and kindly. 
The deviation of the white-tailed swallow this year I consider 
a very 
