THE SWALLOW. 15 



abroad for exercise and food. When he comes home 

 after an excursion, he always goes directly to the nest, 

 and looks in to see how she does, and on such occa- 

 sions, their notes are particularly soft arid tender. 



These birds always unite in pairs, and are so attach- 

 ed to each other, that if a third comes, they will both 

 attack and drive it away. 



The Marten is a bird of great courage, and does not 

 hesitate to attack the crow, or hawk, if they come too 

 near his nest. On such occasions, many of them unite 

 for the general defence, and do not give up the battle 

 until the enemy is driven out of the neighbourhood. 



The wren often troubles the Marten in a most im- 

 pertinent and provoking manner. Being the smaller 

 bird, they take advantage of the Marten's absence, to 

 fill up the passage to his nest, so that when the owner 

 comes home, he finds his door shut against him, and 

 his house occupied by another family. Sometimes 

 also, these impudent little warriors will attack the 

 Martens, and drive them out by main force ; or tease 

 them until, for their own comfort, they give them up 

 their property, and go to another place and build 

 anew. In the following instance, however, it appears 

 that the Martens were too cunning, even for the wren. 



A couple of Martins had, for several years, occupied 

 a certain cage, which was fixed on the side of the 

 house. One day these birds were observed to be in 

 a state of great agitation and alarm. They would fly 

 to the cage, but in a moment leave it again, as though 

 afraid to go in, at the same time uttering cries of 

 alarm and dread. On watching their motions, and 

 looking at the cage, to find out the cause of this trou- 



