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SWALLOW. 



CHIMNEY 1 SWALLOW. COMMON SWALLOW. 

 RED-FEOXTED SWALLOW. 



Hirundo rustica, LTNN.EUS. PENNANT. 



" domestica, KAY. BRISSON. 



Hirundo A Swallow. RusticaO? or belonging to the country. 



THE Swallow, so called, is a permanent resident in the 

 tropical parts of the western coast of Africa; but is said to 

 be less numerous there in the rainy season than at other 

 times: it appears also to be a native of Abyssinia, and to 

 dwell there throughout the year. In Europe it visits the 

 less frigid parts of Siberia, the Crimsea, Denmark, Russia, 

 Sweden, Norway, Lapland, as likewise Italy, and the southern 

 countries. It is also found in Asia Minor; and Temminck 

 includes it among the birds of Japan. 



Although arriving in large nights upon our coasts, the}* 

 afterwards disperse, and penetrate by degrees further into the 

 country: a few alone at first are seen among us, coursing in 

 their never-ending chase for food: by degrees their numbers 

 thicken, until the air is again peopled by this interesting 

 race. 



The Swallow always makes friends among us; its useful 

 and harmless life and social habits attract our notice, and its 

 familiar approaches to our dwellings make it looked upon as 

 half-domesticated; it lives among us, yet independent, requiring 

 of us nothing but quiet possession of its accustomed nook or 

 chimney. The Swallow is almost as much respected and 

 cherished as the Redbreast himself, and shares with that 

 favoured bird exemption even from the persecutions of village 

 urchins.' 



