58 THE SWALLOW. 



insects in the air, and eating them while on the wing, 

 would make it unnecessary for them to stop on their 

 journey for the purpose of obtaining food. 



Flocks of them have been seen far at sea ; and 

 sometimes during a storm, they have become so fa- 

 tigued with their journey as to light, and rest awhile 

 on some part of the vessel. 



From all northern countries, these birds take their 

 flight towards the south, in time to reach a warm cli- 

 mate before the approach of winter. The time of 

 leaving, therefore, depends on the distance they have 

 to fly. In New England, they leave about the middle 

 of September, but in Florida, they remain until the 

 last of that month, or the beginning of October. 



They are said to arrive in Africa the first week in 

 October, and to leave England the last week in Sep- 

 tember ; so that they perform the journey from one 

 country to the other in a week's time. 



The Swallow is a pattern of the most unwearied 

 and laborious industry. From morning till night, 

 when these birds have a family to maintain, they spend 

 their whole time in skimming along near the ground 

 in search of insects for their young. At these times, 

 they always fly with their mouths wide open, and 

 when they catch an insect, a smart snap of the bill, 

 may be heard, like the shutting of a watch-case. 



This bird builds her nest in barns or other out-hous- 

 es. It is constructed of mud, which is used in so soft 

 a state, as to adhere to the side of a barn, or board. 

 The inside is lined with dry grass, with a covering of 

 feathers, for the young birds to lie on. 



