6 THE SWALLOW. 



the river or lake, or occasionally dips for an instant into 

 the water and rises to pursue its mazy wanderings in the 

 air, without being astonished at the admirable ease of its 

 movements, and the marvellous powers of endurance which 

 nature has bestowed upon it. 



The Swallow migrates northward from the tropical parts 

 of western Africa and Abyssinia (where large numbers are 

 permanent residents), and arrives in Great Britain about 

 the beginning of April. Its visit to this country usually 

 extends to six months ; some few birds, old as well as the 

 late-bred ones, however, occasionally remain until the winter 

 months, but they invariably perish at the first approach of 

 " winter and rough weather/'' Besides being a visitor to 

 this country, the Swallow is found in Denmark, Sweden, 

 Norway, Russia, Lapland, the southern countries of Europe, 

 Asia Minor, and Japan. 



During their migration Swallows have been repeatedly 

 known to settle upon the rigging of vessels, apparently 

 suffering from extreme exhaustion ; and after remaining a 

 night to rest, renew their journey refreshed and invigo- 

 rated. 



A very observable characteristic of the Swallow is the 

 unfailing regularity with which it returns to its old haunts. 

 It matters nothing in how intricate a locality it may have 

 hatched and brought up its young, or how far from the 

 sea-coast it may have to travel, or what vicissitudes may 

 have happened to it in its protracted journey, the Swallow 

 will be found to make its way, immediately on its arrival, 

 to the familiar haunts and scenes of the previous summer. 



The food of the Swallow consists entirely of winged 

 insects, small flies of various kinds, gnats, &c. These are 

 captured as the bird flies with open mouth, the bristles with 



