154 A HISTORY OF 



In this tribe is to be found the Goat-sucker which may be styied t 

 nocturnal swallow ; it is the largest of this kind, and is Known by its 

 tail, which is not forked, like that of the common swallow. It begins 

 its liight at evening, and makes a loud singular noise, like the whirl 

 of a spinning wheel. To this also belongs the House-swallow, which 

 is too well known to need a description ; the Martin, inferior in size 

 to the former, and the tail much less forked ; it differs also in its nest, 

 which is covered at top, while that of the house-sparrow is open ; and 

 the Swift, rather larger than the house-swallow, with all the toes 

 standing forward ; in which it differs from the rest of its kind. All 

 these resemble each other so strongly, that it is not without difficulty 

 the smaller kinds are known asunder. 



These are all known by their very large mouths, which, when they 

 fly, are always kept open; they are not less remarkable for their short, 

 slender feet, which scarce are able to support the weight of their bodies ; 

 their wings are of immoderate extent for their bulk ; their plumage is 

 glossed with a rich purple ; and their note is a slight twittering, which 

 they seldom exert but upon the wing. 



This peculiar conformation seems attended with a similar peculiari- 

 ty of manners. Their food is insects, which they always pursue fly- 

 ing. For this reason, during fine weather, when the insects are most 

 likely to be abroad, the swallows are for ever upon the wing, and 

 seem pursuing their prey with amazing swiftness and agility. All 

 smaller animals, in some measure, find safety by winding and turning, 

 when they endeavour to avoid the greater : the lark thus evades the 

 pursuit of the hawk, and the man the crocodile. In this manner, 

 insects upon the wing endeavour to avoid the swallow ; but this bird 

 is admiralby fitted by Nature to pursue them through their shortest 

 turnings. Besides a great length of wing, it is also provided with a 

 long tail, which, like a rudder, turns it in its most rapid motions ; 

 and thus, while it is possessed of the greatest swiftness, it is also pos- 

 sessed of the most extreme agility. 



Early, therefore, in the spring, when the returning sun begins to 

 rouse the insect tribe from their annual state of torpidity ; when the 

 gnat and the beetle put off their earthly robes and venture into air, 

 the swallow then is seen returning from its long migration beyond 

 the ocean, and making its way feebly to the shore. At first with the 

 timidity of a stranger, it appears but seldom, and flies but slowly and 

 heavily along. As the weather grows warmer, and its insect supply 

 increases, it then gathers greater strength and activity. But it some* 

 times happens that a rainy season, by repelling the insects, stints the 

 swallow in its food ; the poor bird is then seen slowly skimming along 

 the surface of the ground, and often resting after a flight of a few 

 minutes. In general, however, it keeps on the wing, and moving 

 with a rapidity that nothing can escape. When the weather promises 

 to be fair, the insect-tribe feel the genial influence, and make bolder 

 flights ; at that time the swallow follows them in their aerial journeys, 

 and often rises to imperceptible heights in the pursuit. When the 

 voather is likely to be foul, the insects feel the first notices of it ; and 

 from the swallow's following low we are often apprized of the ap- 

 preaching change. 



