THE SWALLOW. 331 



building their nest, we shall hear the notes of ex- 

 ulting satisfaction, which the little architects utter 

 reciprocally as their work progresses. It is, how- 

 ever, when the young brood requires all their care 

 that they are seen to most advantage. The most 

 unremitting and indefatigable exertions are under- 

 gone from morning until night, in order to procure 

 the necessary supply of food, which is always re- 

 ceived by the young with notes of complacency 

 and pleasure. A very short time is allowed to 

 elapse between each visit of one or other of the 

 parent swallows to the nest, and then they depart 



To hawk aloft, or skim along the flood, 

 To furnish their loquacious nest with food. 



I am not sure, however, whether the habits of 

 the little Sand-martin (Hirundo riparia) do not 

 interest me more than those of the swallow. They 

 excavate their holes in sunny sand-banks with 

 wonderful rapidity, and dart in and out of them 

 in a way peculiarly pleasing, and which I am never 

 tired of watching. When the male and female 

 are resting for a few moments in the recesses of 

 their retreat, their gentle notes of love and affec- 

 tion may be heard, and then they come out to 

 resume their rapid arid " amusive" flight. 



The courage of the swallow tribe, when the safe- 

 ty of their young is endangered by the approach 

 of a prowling cat, or a bird of prey, is quite extra- 

 ordinary. Fearless of themselves, they will mob 



