208 LECTURE XYI. 



Every lover of Nature must rejoice in the 

 first appearance of swallows in the spring. They 

 proclaim the approach of summer of flowers, 

 and fruits, and warm, mild weather, and of the 

 season for herrings and mackerel for you fisher- 

 men. My eyes are ever open and I hope will 

 be so as long as I live to the beauties of 

 Nature, and therefore I am always pleased at 

 watching the happiness of the swallow tribe. 

 They, indeed, live a life of enjoyment. Winter 

 is unknown to them, and, on its approach, they 

 quit this country for the groves of Italy and the 

 sunny climate of Africa. The instinct which 

 leads them to do this is wonderful, and they make 

 their way over seas and continents in one un- 

 erring line to the places best adapted for their 

 well-being. The swallow should always be 

 considered as a sacred bird and a friend to man, 

 for it destroys numerous insects which might 

 otherwise become a nuisance. 



" Gentle bird ! we find thee here : 

 When Nature wears her summer vest 

 Thou com'st to make thy simple nest ; 

 And when the chilling winter lowers, 

 Again thou seek'st the genial bowers." 



The confidence which swallows show to the 



