OF SELBORNE. 291 



doubtedly the most nimble of all the 

 species ; and when the male pursues the 

 female in amorous chase, they then go be- 

 yond their usual speed, and exert a rapidity 

 almost too quick for the eye to follow. 



After this circumstantial detail of the 

 life and discerning o-ro^-yji of the swallow, 

 I shall add, for your further amusement, 

 an anecdote or two not much in favour of 

 her sagacity : — 



A certain swallow built for two years 

 together on the handles of a pair of garden- 

 shears, that were stuck up against the 

 boards in an out- house, and therefore must 

 have her nest spoiled whenever that imple- 

 ment was wanted : and, what is stranger 

 still, another bird of the same species built 

 its nest on the wings and body of an owl 

 that happened by accident to hang dead 

 and dry from the rafter of a barn. This . 

 owl, with the nest on its wings, and with 

 eggs in the nest, was brought as a curio- 

 sity worthy the most elegant private mu- 

 seum in Great Britain. The owner, struck 



u 2 



