THE SWALLOW. 73 



In some countries it goes by the name " Screech " and 

 " Deviling." There is an old notion that the swift cannot 

 rise from the ground : 



" This is my charter for the boundless skies, 

 Stoop not to earth on pain no more to rise." 



However, he is able to do this only with some difficulty on 

 account of his long wings. 



Swifts live entirely on insects of every kind. When 

 the various hatches of the Ephemeridce take place these 

 birds frequent the river-side and devour vast quantities of 

 May-flies, both of those dancing in the air or rising from 

 the water. 



THE SWALLOW. 



The SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica, family, Hirundinidce) ; 

 CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



Sir Humphry Davy says in his " Salmonia : " " I de- 

 light in this living landscape. The swallow is one of my 



