THE SWALLOW. 263 



more swell the ranks ; October arrives, and with it a few 

 days of cold weather ; the Swallows must not tarry, and 

 the main flocks wing their way southwards. But still a 

 few are seen late in this month, young birds not suffi- 

 ciently matured for their long journey, and their parents. 

 The winds bring down the golden leaves, and whistle 

 mournfully through the half-naked branches, a stern 

 hint that the birds must away to a warmer clime. 

 Those now unable to journey on are left to perish, for 

 the migratory instinct is imperative within the strong 

 and healthy birds, and before October's nut-brown 

 month has waned the Swallows have departed for their 

 southern haunts. 



