302 NATUKAL HISTORY 



libellulw (dragon-flies) almost as long as 

 themselves. In the last week in Ju7ie we 

 have seen a row of these sitting on a rail 

 near a great pool as perchers ; and so young 

 and helpless, as easily to be taken by hand : 

 but whether the dams ever feed them on 

 the wing, as swallows and house-martins 

 do, we have never yet been able to deter- 

 mine : nor do we know whether they pur- 

 sue and attack birds of prey. 



When they happen to breed near hedges 

 and enclosures, they are dispossessed of 

 their breeding holes by the house-sparrow, 

 which is on the same account a fell adver- 

 sary to house-martins. 



These hirundines are no songsters , but 

 rather mute, making only a little harsh 

 noise when a person approaches their nests. 

 They seem not to be of a sociable turn, 

 never with us congregating with their con- 

 geners in the Autumn. Undoubtedly they 

 breed a second time, like the house- 

 martin and swallow ; and withdraw about 

 Michaelmas. 



