WHEATEAR. SWALLOW KIND. 223 



choristers are silent. In summer, indeed, it is equally 

 musical, but at that time its modest notes are undis 

 tinguished in the general warble of the choir. 



Thomson marks, by a just and elegant description, the 

 domestic habits of this bird during winter ; but it is, per- 

 haps, as much indebted to the ballad of the Babes in the 

 Wood for its universal favour and esteem with us, as to 

 any combination of other causes whatsoever. Indeed, 

 not only our poets, but our painters, have exerted their 

 talents, in recommending this innocent songster to our 

 attention : and, surely, where genius labours to improve 

 our sensibilities, and to awaken our most generous passions, 

 it demands our love and respect. 



THE WHEATEAR. 



This bird is seen in most countries of Europe, either as 

 naturalised or as a visitor. The top of its head, the hind 

 part of the neck, and the back, are of a bluish grey ; the 

 under part of the body, yellowish white ; the breast is 

 tinged with red, and the legs are black. 



The wheatear visits England annually in March, and 

 leaves us in September. In some of the eastern counties, 

 particularly Sussex, it is astonishingly numerous ; being 

 caught almost by thousands, and sent up to the London 

 poulterers. Its flesh, when potted, is as much esteemed 

 in England as that of the ortolan on the continent. 



THE SWALLOW KIND. 



Of this genus, which is pretty numerous, four species 

 are natives of England ; the house-swallow, the martin, 

 the sand-martin, and the swift ; and of each a cursory 

 description shall be here given, after premising the 

 general history of the family, which is somewhat extra- 

 ordinary. 



The swallow tribe are remarkable for the wideness of 

 their mouths, which are always open when flying; the 

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