BIRD NOTES 5 



cut for the stove-pipe. The mouth of the mug 

 appeared to have been first crossed by grass-bents, 

 fastened securely by mud-mortar to the edges. 

 Upon this platform a nest as large as a shallow 

 breakfast cup was constructed, and eggs laid therein. 



A Swallow was observed flitting in and out of a 

 mill tower as late as 25th December. The occurrence 

 created some surprise, and on a marshman repairing 

 to the mill, to his astonishment he found a young 

 bird suspended from the nest by a horsehair, its leg 

 having become entangled in a loop, which held it a 

 prisoner. The old bird's joy on seeing its offspring 

 released was touching ; and there is every reason to 

 believe they spent their New Year in a sunnier clime. 

 Fortunately it had been an exceptionally mild winter, 

 or probably both would have perished. 



It is probable that to sleep under more peaceful 

 and comfortable conditions than their parasite- 

 haunted nesting quarters afford them, the Swallows 

 and their kindred resort in the late summer and 

 autumn to the extensive reed-beds margining the 

 Broads. Here they roost by hundreds and some- 

 times thousands. They finish the labours of the 

 day by taking short flights to and fro before settling 

 for the night. A confused chattering heralds the 



