140 WHITE 



interspersed; because in such spots insects most abound. 

 When a fly is taken a smart snap from her bill is heard, 

 resembling the noise at the shutting of a watch-case; but 

 the motion of the mandibles is too quick for the eye. 



The swallow, probably the male bird, is the excubitorto house- 

 martins, and other little birds, announcing the approach of 

 birds of prey. For as soon as a hawk appears, with a shrill 

 alarming note he calls all the swallows and martins about him ; 

 who pursue in a body, and buffet and strike their enemy till 

 they have driven him from the village, darting down from above 

 on his back, and rising in a perpendicular line in perfect secur- 

 ity. This bird also will sound the alarm, and strike at cats 

 when they climb on the roofs of houses, or otherwise approach 

 the nests. Each species of hirundo drinks as it flies along, 

 sipping the surface of the water; but the swallow alone in 

 general washes on the wing, by dropping into a pool for many 

 times together: in very hot weather house-martins and bank- 

 martins dip and wash a little. 



The swallow is a delicate songster, and in soft sunny weather 

 sings both perching and flying; on trees in a kind of concert, 

 and on chimney-tops : is also a bold flyer, ranging to distant 

 downs and commons even in windy weather, which the other 

 species seem much to dislike ; nay, even frequenting exposed 

 seaport towns, and making little excursions over the salt 

 water. Horsemen on wide downs are often closely attended 

 by a little party of swallows for miles together, which plays 

 before and behind them, sweeping around them, and collect- 

 ing all the skulking insects that are roused by the trampling 

 of the horses' feet : when the wind blows hard, without this 

 expedient, they are often forced to settle to pick up their lurk- 

 ing prey. 



This species feeds much on little Coleoptera, as well as on 

 gnats and flies ; and often settles on dug ground, or paths, for 

 gravels to grind and digest its food. Before they depart, for 

 some weeks, to a bird they forsake houses and chimneys and 

 roost in trees ; and usually withdraw about the beginning of 

 October ; though some few stragglers may appear on at times 

 till the first week in November. 



Some few pairs haunt the new and open streets of London 



