SWALLOWS. 269 



they keep nearer the ground: and thus the Swallow, 

 like the hand of the clock, moved by invisible wheels 

 and springs, tells us when we may expect the weather to 

 be moist or dry. 



We have noticed some odd places chosen by birds for 

 their nests, but none, perhaps, more curious than those 

 selected by Swallows, at the same time affording another 

 proof of the constant return of birds to the same places^ 

 That they do return, is, indeed, a fact established be- 

 yond a doubt, it having been ascertained, by the experi- 

 ment of fastening a small piece of silk round one of the 

 legs of a female, when sitting upon eggs, and finding her 

 again similarly occupied on the following Spring. At a 

 nobleman's house, in Scotland, the kitchen was in a 

 building separated from the main part of the house by 

 an open court, but connected with it by a covered pas- 

 sage, supported by posts, and open to the south. In 

 the corner of the passage, close to the kitchen-door, a 

 bracket was placed for holding a lamp, which was taken 

 down to be trimmed every day, and lighted every even- 

 ing. On that bracket, a Swallow, and it is believed the 

 same Swallow, built her nest for three or four years,, 

 quite regardless of the removal or light of the lamp* 

 and the constant passing and repassing of the servants. 



Curious nest of a Swallow. 



