THE SWALLOWS 



BY this time of the year the vast majority of the 

 birds have completed their family business, and 

 many of them have even begun to flock. That 

 means that their summer economy is at an end, 

 and though possibly the best of the summer is 

 still to come, that their winter economy has begun. 

 They are seeking food and keeping company in 

 the way they will adhere to till spring again 

 arouses in them the instinct which breaks the 

 flocks up into pairs. But while this is true of 

 starlings, pigeons, some finches, and many wild- 

 fowl, it is easy to observe that the swallows are 

 still as busy with family-rearing cares as they 

 were in the month of June. Find the nest of a 

 house-martin under the eaves of some cottage, 

 and half a minute's watch will prove that the 

 birds are still coming and going with their 

 characteristically impetuous rush of wing, bring- 

 ing insects to feed a brood of young. They are 

 at it all day, and their energy is unabated after 

 months of toil. 



Swallows raise two broods every season, and 

 it is, of course, the second brood that is engaging 

 their attention just now. But why should they 

 take so long about it? Many birds raise two 



