122 NATURAL HISTORY AND 



insects among the house-tops of Henley- on - 

 Thames. I never before remember seeing these 

 birds so late in departure. 



The range of the chimney swallow and the two 

 martins comes much nearer the ground than that 

 of the swift. They often alight, and, from the 

 conformation of thdir feet and shorter wings, can 

 easily rise again. The weaker wing is made up 

 for by the stronger foot, which gives these swal- 

 lows the power of resting on house-tops, rails, or 

 even on the ground itself. 



Full before my window a pair of fly-catchers 

 keep continually darting from the rails of a wood- 

 en bridge after insects on the wing. These birds 

 may be called the next in succession to swallows, 

 for although they live much on the ground they 

 find the chief of their food in the air. They 

 arrive here a little later than the swallows, and 

 depart shortly before them. 



On the broad planks of the bridge grey and 

 yellow wagtails find a constant supply. These 

 graceful creatures, although occasionally catching 

 a fly in the air, keep almost constantly on the 

 ground, where their active feet and legs enable 



