SWALLOW. 165 



green, and bronze, distinguishes it from all other 

 European birds ; but the young are of a greyish-brown 

 colour until the first autumnal month, and thus have 

 often been considered a distinct variety, and described 

 under the title of the " Solitary Thrush." Albinos, and 

 partial albinos, are sometimes met with, but not, I think, 

 more frequently than amongst Blackbirds and some 

 other varieties of smaller birds. That very beautiful 

 bird, the Rose-coloured Pastor, is really a Starling, and 

 closely resembles our familiar friend in its flight, its 

 voice, and its general course of procedure. 



SWALLOW. 



Hirundo rustica ; Hirondelle de Cheminee ; Schivalbe. 

 Barn Swallow ; Chimney Swallow. 



Bill and tail, black, the latter much forked ; crown, 

 neck, and nape, glossy dark blue ; forehead and throat, 

 chestnut, with bluish-black bar underneath ; lower parts 

 of plumage, reddish-white. Length, under nine inches. 



Although the pretty, cheerful Swallow, a prime 

 favourite with everybody, is not usually ranked amongst 

 the Song Birds, still there are few who have not admired 

 his lively, pleasing song. I thought it therefore desir- 

 able to give him and his nocturnal brother, the Nightjar, 

 a place in this little work ; and my resolve has been 

 approved by such high authorities as Mr. A. G. More 

 and Mr. Rathborne, of Dunsinea. 



The Swallow, as everyone knows, is a migratory 

 bird ; he spends half his time with us, and the other half 



