322 



BIRDS. 



namely, the Diurnal Fissirostres, with a dense plumage, and a 

 beak that opens to beneath the eyes ; and the Nocturnal Fissi- 

 rostres, the plumage of which is soft and light, like that of the 

 owls, and their beak opens to a point beyond the eyes. 

 To the Diurnal Fissirostres belongs the family of 



The Swallows 

 (HirundinidcB] re- 

 markable for the 

 length of their wings. 

 They are divided into 

 Swallows, properly so 

 called, and Swifts ; 

 the latter are known 

 by the peculiar con- 

 formation of their 

 feet : the thumb is 

 directed forward like 

 the other toes, which 

 are all separate, and 

 each has but three 

 joints, whilst in the 

 swallows the thumb 

 points backwards, as 

 in the other Passeri- 

 ne. The swallows, 

 properly so called, 

 have a triangular 

 beak, the legs short, 

 the wings very long, 

 and the tail usually 

 forked. They delight 

 in places where flies 

 and other insects are 

 common; they con- 

 struct their nests with 

 great care, sometimes 

 in the ground. Most 

 of the swallows leave 

 us in September, and 

 migrate in large flocks 

 to warm countries, 

 where they pass the 

 winter; they return 

 in the beginning of 

 spring, and take pos- 

 session of the nests 

 they had left the pre- 

 ceding year. Their 

 habits are mild, and 

 FIG. 349. SWIFT. they are remarkable 



FIG. 348. SWALLOW. 



