282 HISTORY OF 



avoid the swallow ; but this bird is admirably 

 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 possessed of the most extreme 

 agility. 



Early, therefore, in the spring, when the re- 

 turning 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 return- 

 ing 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 sup- 

 ply increases, it then gathers greater strength and 

 activity. But it sometimes 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 mov- 

 ing 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 im- 

 perceptible heights in the pursuit. When the 

 weather is likely to be foul, the insects feel the 

 first notices of it ; and from the swallow's follow- 



