SWALLOWS. 



51 



ascertained by the experiment of fastening a small 

 piece of silk round one of the legs of a female, 

 when sitting upon eggs, and finding her again simi- 

 larly occupied, on the following Spring. At a noble- 

 man's house in Scotland, the kitchen was in a build- 

 ing separated from the main part of the house by 

 an open court, but connected with it by a covered 

 passage, supported by posts, and open to the south. 

 In the corner of the passage, close to the kitchen- 

 door, a bracket was placed for holding a lamp, which 

 was taken down to be trimmed every day, and 

 lighted every evening. On that bracket a Swallow, 

 and it is believed the same Swallow, built her nest 

 for. three or four years, quite regardless of the remo- 

 val or light of the lamp, and the constant passing and 

 repassing of the servants. On the opposite side of 

 the same open court, the great house-bell was hung, 

 under a wooden cover, fastened to the north wall of 

 the house. It was a large bell, and was rung 



Carious nest of a Swallow. 



E 2 



