SWALLOWS. 151 



Here and there a bird may affect some odd, peculiar place ; 

 as we have known a swallow build down the shaft of an old 

 well, through which chalk had been formerly drawn up, for 

 the purpose of manure ; but, in general, with us this hirundo 

 breeds in chimneys, and loves to haunt those stacks where 

 there is a constant fire no doubt for the sake of warmth. 

 Not that it can subsist in the immediate shaft where there is 

 a fire ; but prefers one adjoining to that of the kitchen, and 

 disregards the perpetual smoke of that funnel, as I have often 

 observed with some degree of wonder. 



Five or six, or more feet down the chimney, does this little 

 bird begin to form her nest, about the middle of May, which 



whole length of the building, and is a frequented promenade. They had 

 thus to graze the heads of the passengers on entering their nests, and 

 were, moreover, exposed to the depredations of the children, to whom 

 they were novelties ; yet they preferred the dwelling-house to the more 

 lofty eaves of the storehouses, and, on the following season, returned 

 with augmented numbers to the same spot. Fort Chepewyan has existed 

 for many years, and trading posts, though far distant from each other, 

 have been established in the fur countries for a century and a half; yet 

 this, as far as I could learn, is the first instance of this species of swallow 

 placing itself under the protection of man within the widely extended 

 lands north of the great lakes. What cause could have thus suddenly 

 called into action that confidence in the human race, with which the 

 Framer of the universe has endowed this species, in common with others 

 of the swallow tribe ? It has been supposed that birds, frequenting desert 

 countries, and unaccustomed to annoyance from man, would approach 

 him fearlessly, or at least be less shy than those inhabiting the thickly 

 peopled districts where they are daily exposed to the attacks of the great 

 destroyer of their tribes. But although this may be true of some 

 families of birds, it is far from being generally the case. On the contrary, 

 the small birds of the fur countries, which are never objects of pursui't, 

 and scarcely even of notice, to the Indian hunter, are shy, retiring, and 

 distrustful, their habits contrasting strongly with the boldness and 

 familiarity of sparrows, that are persecuted to death by every idle boy in 

 Europe. Nay, some species which are bold enough during their winter 

 residence in the United States, evince great timidity in the northern 

 regions, where the raising their progeny occupies the whole time. In 

 like manner, the redbreast of Europe, familiar as it is in winter, sequesters 

 itself with the greatest care in the breeding season. The question, 

 however, recurs, What is the peculiarity of economy which leads one 

 species of bird to conceal its nest with the most extraordinary care and 

 address, and another to place its offspring in the most exposed situation 

 it can select ?" 



In the cabinet of the Lycaeurn, Governor De Witt Clinton has given an 

 account of the fulvous swallow, il folva, which is nearly allied to the 

 preceding species, laving built its nest in the walls of houses in the 

 Western States ; and which has, every succeeding year, been advancing 

 farther to the eastward. ED. 



i' 1 



la 



