250 SWALLOWS. 



a great degree, on the state of the air ; if it is clear and dry, 

 they rise ; if moist, or likely to be so, they keep nearer the 

 ground : and thus the Swallow, like the hand of the clock, 

 moved hy invisible wheels and springs, tells us when we may 

 expect the weather to be moist or dry. 



We have noticed some odd places chosen by birds for their 

 nests, but none, perhaps, more curious than those selected by 

 Swallows, at the same time affording another proof of the 

 constant return of birds to the same places. That they do 

 return, is, indeed, a fact established beyond a doubt, it having 

 been ascertained, by the experiment of fastening a small piece 

 of silk round one of the legs of a female, when sitting upon 

 eggs, and finding her again similarly occupied on the following 

 Spring. At a nobleman's house, in Scotland, the kitchen 

 was in a building separated from the main part of the house 

 by an open court, but connected with it by a covered passage, 

 supported by posts, and open to the south. In the corner of 

 the passage, close to the kitchen- door, a bracket was placed 

 for holding a lamp, which was taken down to be trimmed 

 every day, and lighted every evening. On that bracket, a 

 Swallow, and it is believed the same Swallow, built her nest 

 for three or four years, quite regardless of the removal or 

 light of the lamp, and the constant passing and repassing of 

 the servants. On the opposite side of the same open court, 



Curious Nest of a Swallow. 



