324 BIRDS OF NOEFOLK. 



picked up dead in the Woolwich, marshes and the fens 

 of Lincolnshire, but much earlier in the winter season, 

 and before any starvation could have taken place from 

 freezing of streams ; indeed, October and November 

 were the months when these birds were most abundant." 



HIRUNDO RUSTICA, Linnaeus. 

 SWALLOW. 



Emblem of all that is bright and sunny, the Swallow 

 is associated with our pleasantest recollections of idle 

 hours, by " flood and field." Lazily sitting by the 

 river's side, supposed to be fishing, though, in reality, 

 more intent upon the scene before us than the uncertain 

 movements of a painted float, the soft warblings of 

 the passing swallow delight the ear, and the eye as 

 delightedly follows its rapid flight. Skimming low 

 over the water, it passes again and again, snatching 

 at the insects in its zigzag flight, now stopping abruptly 

 as, with upraised wings, it hovers for an instant over 

 some floating object, now laving its glossy plumage in 

 the water as, rising and falling in graceful curves, it 

 seeks, high and low, its not less active prey. Tired of 

 our sport, or may be the want of it, let us now gather 

 our tackle together and, as we slowly saunter 

 homewards, observe attentively the varied actions 

 of this busy useful bird. How the sun glistens 

 on its glossy back as it courses over the buttercups 

 in the rich meadows, or, following others in quick 

 succession, threads the "mazy dance" beneath the 

 spreading trees. In and out amongst the legs of 

 the cattle, revelling in the insects that swarm around 

 them, we lose it for an instant in its sudden turns 

 as we cross the stile into the dusty road ; yet scarcely 



