85 COMMON SWALLOW. 



old ones will frequently continue to supply them 

 with provisions until they are able to climb up to 

 the nest again. They are usually capable of fly- 

 ing some days before they can procure their food, 

 and at that time the old birds are observed to cap- 

 ture and fly towards them with it in their beaks, 

 and meeting at an angle to deliver it up to them 

 with such celerity as scarcely to be observed. 



It is a common practice for persons to shoot at 

 these harmless birds, for the sole purpose of ren- 

 dering themselves good shots ! as they are ex- 

 tremely difficult to shoot, in consequence of their 

 uncertain and versatile flight; which is particu- 

 larly to be observed in the intervals of showers 

 during the summer, as at that time their food is 

 flying in abundance. They are likewise very fond 

 of skimming along the surface of the water, and 

 dipping themselves into it. 



These birds will often build their nests in other 

 places than chimneys, as mentioned by many au- 

 thors : they have been known to fix it between the 

 handles of a pair of garden shears j and in the 

 body of an owl, that happened to hang dead from 

 the rafter of an old barn : they likewise have con- 

 structed it behind an old picture that was situated 

 in a room near Bath ; they used to enter by a hole 

 in the window, and continued to do the same for 

 three seasons till the room was repaired, and they 

 could no longer gain admittance. 



For some time before these birds depart from 

 this part of the world they forsake houses, and 

 roost on trees, preferring the dead, leafless branches ; 



