THE SWALLOW. 147 



in many other warm countries. In spring it returns to 

 us, and has thus been addressed by a modern poet: — 



" Welcome, welcome, feathered stranger, 



Now the sun bids Nature smile ; 

 Safe arrived, and free from danger, 



Welcome to our blooming isle ! 

 Still twitter on my lowly roof, 



And hail me at the dawn of day; 

 Each morn the recollected proof 



Of time that ever flits away. 



" Fond of sunshine, fond of shade, 



Fond of skies serene and clear, 

 Ev'n transient storms thy joys invade 



In fairest seasons of thy year. 

 What makes thee seek a milder clime ? 



What bids thee shun the wintry gale ? 

 How know'st thou thy departing time ? 



Hail, wondrous bird! hail, swallow, hail! 



" Sure something more to thee is given 



Than myriads of the feathered race ; 

 Some gift divine, some spark from heaven, 



That guides thy flight from place to place. 

 Still freely come, still freely go, 



And blessings crown thy vigorous wing: 

 May thy rude flight meet no rude foe. 



Delightful messenger of spring ! " 



The provision made by birds for pecuHar circum- 

 stances is not a Httle singular. The following is a case 

 in point. A couple of swallows built their nest in a 

 stable, and the female laid eggs in the nest, and was 



