388 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



tree, where, sitting in a row, they are attended 

 with great assiduity, and may then be called 

 perchers. In a day or two more they become 

 flyers, but are still unable to take their own food ; 

 therefore they play about near the place where 

 the dams are hawking for flies; and when a 

 mouthful is collected, at a certain signal given the 

 dam and the nestling advance, rising toward each 

 other, and meeting at an angle; the young one all 

 the while uttering such a little quick note of gra- 

 titude and complacency, that a person must have 

 paid very little regard to the wonders of nature 

 that has not often remarked this feat." When 

 sufficiently advanced to take care of themselves, 

 the young swallows are left by their parent, and, 

 oddly enough, they immediately associate with 

 the young broods of the house-martins, congre- 

 gating with them, and clustering on sunny roofs, 

 towers, and trees. 



The time which we now conceive to have elapsed 

 in the life of the bird has made a wonderful 

 alteration in its personal appearance. The down 

 has given place to a full and soft covering of 

 feathers. The poor, helpless, wretched-looking, 

 feeble object which emerged from the shell is not 

 to be recognised in the plump, smooth, and lively 



