I/O OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



resuming their active life, about the same time, or a 

 little before the time, of the arrival of their congeners 

 from abroad." I must confess that my humble belief in 

 the matter is entirely in accord with that of Mr. Johns, 

 who was of opinion, that although torpidity was out 

 of the question, it was probable that some few stragglers 

 remained after the great body had migrated, to survive 

 until the following spring if the winter proved a mild 

 one ; if otherwise, however, only quickly to perish, from 

 lack of food and warmth. 



The attachment of the birds to the neighbourhood of 

 water at roosting-time, led to the belief that Swallows 

 retired under the water of ponds and streams for the 

 winter, from which they had but just emerged when seen 

 skimming close to the surface in the early spring. The 

 height at which Swallows fly is generally believed to be 

 a good weather forecast ; this arises from the fact that 

 the insects upon which they feed fly low in damp, cloudy 

 weather, but mount up higher when the air is dry and 

 clear. 



The food of the Swallow, as well as of the Swift and 

 Martins, consists of insects. Dr. Jenner is of opinion 

 that, on their first arrival, and for some time afterwards, 

 they feed mainly upon gnats, but that their favourite 

 food is a small beetle, which has been found, on dis- 

 section, in great abundance in their stomachs. Mr. 

 Harting states that they sometimes take honey-bees, as 

 related by Virgil, and that the Sand Martin has been 

 observed to prey upon the common wasp. 



The nest of the Swallow has been described as "a 

 ring of mud, lined with dry grass and a few feathers," 

 a mud-made shell or cup ; this is shallow, and always 



