THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 243 



The places which they select for their nests are, chimneys, 

 barns, outhouses, steeples, ruins, rocks, and the sides of pits 

 and quarries. The nest is constructed of mud, and lined 

 with feathers, but open at the top ; indeed, the length of the 

 tail feathers is such, that the construction of a domed nest 

 would be very laborious for the swallow. The eggs do not 

 exceed five, but, except in the extreme north, where they 

 arrive late and depart early, there are two broods in the 

 year, one fledged in June, and the other in August. They 

 are, generally, all gone by the end of September ; but some 

 of the late broods are not capable of the long journey, and so 

 linger in the country, and are found dead, or in a benumbed 

 state, in holes of walls, or under hedges, partly, no doubt, 

 from the inclemency of the weather, and partly from want of 

 food. 



Swallows are delightful little creatures, not only as they 

 come from a far country, the harbingers of the blooming 

 season ; but on account of their industry, the celerity of 

 their motions, and the perfect confidence in which they carry 

 on all their operations. 



The most lovely scenes would lose much of their summer 

 interest, if it were not for the presence and lively motions of 

 the swallow. The banks of rivers and the margins of small 

 lakes are at all times delightful places for quiet contempla- 

 tion, and for agreeable walks, when the sultry day draws 

 near to a close, or on those stilly and transparent days which 

 immediately precede rain. But there is an excess of repose 

 about them which would soon become monotonous and 

 heavy, except for the evolutions of the swallow, now shoot- 

 ing into mid air, now skimming the surface of the water, and 

 sipping or laving its plumage as it speeds along, alternately 

 with darting wing, and with dart-like glide. Then, when we 

 think of the myriads of gnats and flies which the teeming 

 waters are constantly giving to the air, to sport (and sting) 



