THE SWALLOWS 63 



long journey they take in migration is probably, 

 under fair climatic conditions, nothing at all 

 formidable to them. If, however, they get caught 

 in some storm or blizzard - like gale, it is an 

 altogether different matter, and there are many 

 records of the Mediterranean coast being littered 

 with hundreds of dead bodies of the Swallows 

 that have succumbed and fallen helplessly into 

 the sea. Watching them flying about the river, 

 or above the growing crops, one finds it difficult 

 to picture a more perfectly happy existence — food 

 in abundance, sunshine all day long, and a kindly 

 welcome at roosting time in every house or rough 

 mud-hut — and cheery and grateful it seems for it 

 all, if one may judge by its lively twittering 

 song. No wonder every country has made a 

 special favourite of the Swallow. It is entirely 

 insectivorous, and, as has been said of several other 

 birds, the use that they are in this land of plagues 

 of flies is enormous. 



Swallows' nests, as is well known, are generally 

 placed on some horizontal beam or masonry. 

 Martin's nests are placed on the perpendicular sides 

 of buildings, and by choice close under the eaves 

 of our broad-roofed houses. Both are built of mud, 

 and the mud is very generally obtained from road- 



