260 THE SWALLOW. 



only between the wall and the treillage was filled up with a 

 small deposit of clay, but the nest itself was built of grass 

 and straw, and was fixed alike in the treillage and the de- 

 posit of clay. Here I saw the Swallow sitting on her eggs, 

 the depth of the nest being very inconsiderable. 



I trust that I have now made my readers sufficiently ac- 

 quainted with these interesting " guests of summer," but, be- 

 fore I conclude this notice of them, I would plead in their 

 behalf, for the purpose of endeavoring to put a stop to the 

 cruel custom of wantonly shooting at them. Independent of 

 the cruelty of starving whole nests of young ones by killing 

 the old birds, they may be scared from a neighborhood by be- 

 ing frequently disturbed ; but then comes a redundancy of 

 insects, producing blight, mildew, and other disorders on our 

 corn and plants. We are also deprived of their hilarity, their 

 thousand meanderings in the air, their pretty twitterings, and 

 all the agreeable associations which their presence gives rise 

 to. The Swallow-shooter is, moreover, guilty of a breach of 

 hospitality, by destroying a bird which has voluntarily placed 

 itself under his protection, and which has always been con- 

 sidered as a privileged guest. 



" The swallow, privileged above the rest 



Of all the birds as man's familiar guest, 



Pursues the sun, in summer brisk and bold, 



And wisely shuns the persecuting cold ; 



When frowning skies begin to change their chear, 



And time turns up the wrong side of the year, 



It seeks a better heav'n and warmer climes." DRYDEN. 



