CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 167 



among the most pleasing of the British singing-birds ; 

 and with this additional merit, that it is heard through 

 the greatest part of the winter. Its nest is a curious 

 structure, of an oval shape, with a small hole for entrance 

 on one side, composed of moss on the outside, and lined 

 with hair and feathers. The eggs are frequently fifteen 

 or sixteen in number, small, of a white colour, sprinkled 

 over with small pale red spots. The place in which the 

 nest is usually formed, is near stables or outhouses, or in 

 hedges or woods. 



25. SWALLOW TRIBE. 



The birds which compose the present tribe, chiefly fre- 

 quent moist and watery places, and skim about near the 

 surface, in search of insects, which they catch whilst on 

 wing with great dexterity. 



Chimney Swallow. These birds are well known 

 throughout almost the whole habitable world. Of a 

 slight frame of body, but furnished with long and pow- 

 erful wings, they are able to sustain themselves in flight 

 for hours together. This is the more necessary, as all 

 their food is caught whilst they are on wing; and also 

 as about the beginning of October they migrate from 

 this country, for the purpose of passing the winter in 

 some hot climate. They return in the early part of the 

 year, and are the harbingers of the spring. Soon after 

 its arrival, the Swallow commences the operation of 

 forming its nest, which is usually done in the inside of 

 a chimney, a few feet from the top. The nest is com- 

 posed of mud, mixed up with straw and hair, for the 

 purpose of making it adhere, and lined with feathers. 

 The eggs are of a white colour, speckled with red. 



