330 OUH NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



meadows of England in autumn, for the myrtle 

 and olive groves of Italy, or for the tall palms 

 of Africa, and coming to us as it does early in 

 April. 



Nor is it alone because of its association with 

 spring, that we value the swallow tribe. At all 

 times the habits of these birds are interesting, their 

 motions and actions elegant. Skimming the air 

 in most graceful evolutions, continually crossing 

 each other's path, — yet never striking one against 

 another; wheeling on high without any confusion, 

 and on untiring wing, they are, though of sober 

 plumage, the most beautiful of birds. Now they 

 descend and skim lightly a little way above the 

 grass, or over the city's pavement, and we say that 

 rain is coming. Do the swallows come from their 

 height to tell us this ? Nay, but the air is already 

 hmuid and chill, and the nice perceptions of the 

 insect tribe have discovered it, though as yet w^e 

 feel it not, and their slight wdngs refuse to carry 

 them high in air, and the swallow knowing this 

 too, by liis sensations, or by that great power 

 of sight wdiich can alone conduct him safely wdth 

 rapidity, comes down to hunt for his insect-prey. 



Many birds are very conscious of approaching 



