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SWALLOW. 



CHIMNEY SWALLOW. COMMON SWALLOW. RED-FRONTED SWALLOW. 



PLATE LXI. 



Hirundo rustica, LINN.&TJS. PENNANT. 



" domestica, EAT. BRISSON. 



IN the month of May, about a month after the arrival of the bird, 

 the nest is commenced; and, as imported by one of its trivial names, 

 the inside of a chimney is a common selection, and some angle or 

 corner a few feet down is taken advantage of for the support that it 

 affords. The precise situation is frequently resorted to that has been 

 made use of in previous seasons. 



The nest, which is open at the top, is formed of moist earth which 

 the bird collects bit by bit in its bill, from the side of a pond or 

 stream, or the middle of a road, as may often be seen. It is moulded 

 into shape, intermixed with straw and grass, and is finally lined with 

 feathers, or such like soft materials. A nest of this species has been 

 found placed in a ventilating pipe, and was composed exclusively of 

 feathers, no mud being used. 



The eggs are usually from four to six in number, white, much speckled 

 over with ash-colour, and dark red, or brown and rufous. 



