THE CLIFF-SWALLOW. 37 



practised by a species of the mason bee (Anthophora 

 retusa, LEACH). 



As there is no masonry nor plastering made use 

 of in the interior of the nut-hatch's nest, we might 

 have been inclined to consider the preceding account 

 as purely fanciful. But we have the testimony of a 

 recent observer, not only to the fact of the clay bar- 

 ricade, but a confirmatory circumstance not a little 

 interesting and curious. Colonel Montagu discov- 

 ered that if the clay barrier at the entrance of the 

 hole be destroyed while there are eggs in the nest, 

 it is speedily rebuilt to prevent, possibly, the unwel- 

 come intrusion of the woodpecker, and other birds 

 of superior size and strength, which build in similar 

 situations. It appears to us no less probable, that 

 the wall may be constructed to prevent the unfledg- 

 ed young from tumbling out of the nest when they 

 begin to stir about ; for all young birds become very 

 restless as they approach the period when they ac- 

 quire the power, as well as the desire, for rapid 

 movement. The callow brood of most nests have 

 the same impatience that distinguishes children who 

 are about to use their legs : they pant to " imp their 

 young wings." 



The cliff-swallow (Hirundo fulva, VIEILLOT) is stri- 

 kingly characterized by having an even and not a 

 forked tail, like its congeners. Instead of a white 

 rump, also, like our window-swallow, it has an iron- 

 brown one, and the same colour, but of a darker 

 shade, under the chin, where our chimney-swallow 

 is red. The upper part of the body, however, has 

 the same glossy violet black, and the wings the same 

 deep brown as the former. " This active little bird," 

 says Bonaparte.* " is, like its congeners, almost con- 

 tinually on the wing, and feeds on flies and, other 

 insects while performing its aerial evolutions. Its 

 note is different from that of other swallows, and 

 may be well imitated by rubbing a moistened cork 

 * See Bonaparte's Birds. 

 D 



