THE COMMOX SWALLOW. 



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it is a common bird, and where it is probable it rears a second brood of young ones, as Mr. C. J. 

 Andersson says that in "uncivilised parts of Africa these Swallows affix their nests to some projection 

 of a rock or trunk of a tree, or occupy cavities in rocks or banks. ' 



Throughout Europe generally the Swallow is merely a migrant, arriving as one of the first 

 harbingers of summer, and leaving before the cold weather sets in. It is now unnecessary to refute 

 the old fable so current among our forefathers that the Swallows hibernate during the winter season, 

 as it has long been satisfactorily proved that such is not the case ; but even in the present century it 

 was found necessary to write long essays to prove that they migrate to more genial climes, instead of 

 passing the winter in a state of torpidity in the mud, or in old caves, or hollow trees. Mr. Benzon, of 



COMMON SWALLOW. 



Copenhagen, states that in old prescriptions one sometimes finds reference made to aqua Hirundinum, 

 a sort of essence of water and Swallows, which in olden times appears to have been considered a 

 sovereign remedy for many of the ills that man is heir to. Being entirely insectivorous, the Swallow 

 is one of the most harmless and useful birds, and in most parts of Europe it is protected by the 

 peasantry, who object to its being molested, and it would be well if this were everywhere the case. 

 Swift on the wing, and extremely agile and graceful, it glides with the greatest ease through the 

 air, the tail being usually carried but little expanded, and only spread out to its full extent when 

 a sudden turn is made, generally to catch a passing insect. 



During fine, clear weather, it is usually seen flying at a great altitude; but in damp, dull 

 weather, it skims close to the ground, following every irregularity in it in search of its insect prey. 

 Their great power of flight enables them to persecute and put to flight most of the birds of prey which 

 may happen to intrude on their domain ; and on the appearance of any such intruder, they all collect 

 and join in driving him away, in which they generally succeed. For the nest it usually selects 

 some convenient place under the eaves of a roof or on the beam of an outhouse, or in any shed where 

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