262 OF METEOROLOGICAL CHAP. 10. 



There is a superstitious respect paid to the 

 Swallow and the Martlett, in many parts of the 

 country, at the present day. Their nests are 

 protected, and it is considered unlucky to 

 molest them by accident : this is a very old 

 opinion, mentioned by many writers : and the 

 circumstances of their building so close to the 

 habitations of man indicates, I think, that they 

 have long enjoyed freedom from molestation.* 

 For animals seem to regulate their conduct 

 according to circumstances : and it is not only 

 that the individual learns to avoid danger, but 

 the whole species seems by degrees apprized of 

 the state of either enmity or amity between 

 them and man, and to act in conformity with 

 this knowledge. There are parts of oriental 

 India, where the religion of the Brachmans 

 protects animals from injury, in which Hawks 



the Martlett 



Builds in the weather on the outward wall, 

 Even in the force and road of casualty. 



Shakspcare. 

 Odimus accipitrem quia semper vivit in armis, 



Et pavidum solitos, in pecus ire lupos, 

 At caret insidiis horminum quia mitis hirundo, 

 Quasque colat turres chaonis ales habet. 



Ovid. Art. Ainul. ii. 150. 



