THE SWALLOW, 147 



the interest we take in this bird as a sort of index of the seasons, 

 lie is so constantly about our homes, and so beautiful and harmless, 

 that we look upon him as a familiar friend, and love to see him 

 darting swiftly past our windows, or perching on our roofs. 



The Swallow sometimes makes its appearance in the south of 

 England as early as the beginning of April, but generally about the 

 middle of that month. It does not commence building until three or 

 four weeks after its arrival. The situations selected for its nest are 

 sheltered spots beneath eaves or projecting roofs of any kind, beams 

 or rafters of outhouses, the under sides of spouts and bridge arches, 

 or the interiors of bell turrets. It has also been known to build in 

 the sides of wells and the shafts of deserted coal-pits. In the "Natural 

 History of Selborne," Gilbert White says, "In general with us this 

 Hirundo breeds in chimneys, and loves to haunt those stacks where 

 there is a constant fire, no doubt for the sake of warmth. Not that 

 it can subsist in the immediate shaft where there is a fire, but prefers 

 one adjoining to that of the kitchen, and disregards the perpetual 

 smoke of that funnel, as I have often observed with some degree of 

 wonder." It is a curious fact that in Ireland Mr. Thompson states 

 that he has never known this bird to build in chimneys. Ornithological 

 literature teems with records of the extraordinary positions in which 

 Swallows' nests have been found. One was placed in the knocker of 

 a door, another under the wooden cover of a large bell that was 

 rung every day, and another in the half-open drawer of a table in an 

 unoccupied garret, to which access was only obtainable through a 

 broken pane of glass. In the museum of Sir Ashton Lever one was 

 preserved which was attached to the body of a dead owl that had 

 been nailed against a barn. The nest, which is broad and cup-shaped, 

 is composed of earth or clay, collected in a moist state from the 

 sides of ponds or streams, and intermingled with straw or grass; it is 

 lined with fine grass, feathers, or other soft materials. The eggs, from 

 four to six in number, are white or reddish white, speckled, chiefly at 

 the larger end, with dark red and ash-colour; they vary considerably 

 in size and form. Two broods are produced in the season, the first 

 of which flies in June, and the second about the middle or end of 

 August. While the young are in the nest, it is stated that the old 

 birds supply them with insects about once in every three minutes 

 during the greater part of the day. After they are fledged their food 

 is dexterously placed in their mouths as they follow their parents on 

 the wing. 



Like the Swifts, and for the same reason, these birds fly high in 

 fine dry weather, and near the ground when the air is damp. As 



