292 INDIRECT BENEFITS DERIVED FROM INSECTS. 



walks would be done away. Our groves would no longer 

 be vocal; our little domestic favourites the red-breast and 

 the wren would desert us; and the heavens would be depo- 

 pulated. We should lose too some of the most esteem- 

 ed dainties of our tables, one of which, the wheat-ear, is 

 said to be attracted to our downs by a particular insect a . 

 Lastly, insects are the sole food of swallows, which are 

 always on the wing hawking for them, and their flight is 

 regulated by that of their prey. When the atmosphere 

 is dry and clear and their small game flies high, they seek 

 the skies ; when moist and the insects are low or upon the 

 ground, they descend and just skim the surface of the 

 earth and waters ; and thus by their flight are regarded 

 as prognosticating fair or wet weather. I was last sum- 

 mer much interested and amused by observing the tender 

 care and assiduity with which an old swallow supplied 

 her young with this kind of food. My attention was 

 called to a young brood, that having left their nest before 

 they were strong enough to take wing, were stationed on 

 the lead which covers a bow window in my house. The 

 mother was perpetually going and returning, putting an 

 insect into the mouth first of one and then of the others 

 in succession, all fluttering and opening their mouths to 

 receive her gift. She was scarcely ever more than a 

 minute away, and continued her excursions as long as 

 we had time to observe her. When the little ones were 

 satisfied, they put their head under their wing and went 

 to sleep. The number of insects caught by this tribe is 

 inconceivable. But it is not in summer only that birds 

 derive their food from the insect tribes : even in winter 



a Bingley, ii. 374. 



