30 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



The first chimney-swallow for the year was 

 sitting on a branch. He was easily known by his 

 chestnut throat, and the two long feathers, which 

 give such a deep fork to his tail. Most of the 

 swallows do perch and light ; but only awkwardly, 

 and as if they were not meant for it. The skim- 

 ming of this bird over the ground, or the surface 

 of water is singularly swift, and graceful. But 

 for its structure, and habits, it might be classed 

 among the warblers. 



The other evening the air seemed full of sweet 

 sounds, which died in the distance, and swelled 

 again. My companion looked to the hedge, and to 

 the tree, and everywhere, but into the air, and it 

 caine upon him quite as a pleasant revelation that 

 any swallow could sing. But this is the only 

 songster : the sand-martin is mute, the house-martin 

 simply twitters, the swift screams. ' 



The chimney-swallow builds, by preference, in 

 the rafters. An old mill, with the liberty of the 

 dam for an evening skim, when the insects are 

 near the surface, is an ideal site. But he builds 

 also under the eaves ; and even, on occasion, in the 

 window corners. 



The house-martin deserts his favourite window 

 corner for the eaves, and occasionally finds his way 



