THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



213 



THB CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



During the summer months this Swallow takes up its residence in 

 this country, building 

 its nest generally in the 

 insides of our chimneys, 

 a few feet from the top. 

 This nest is composed 

 of mud mixed with 

 straw and hair, and 

 lined with feathers. It 

 lays four or five eggs, 

 and has two broods in 

 the year. 



The progressive 

 method by which the 

 young-ones are intro- 

 duced to their proper 

 habits, is very curious. 

 They first, but not with- 

 o u t some (difficulty, 

 emerge from the shaft : for a day or two they are fed on the chimney- 

 top ; and then are conducted to the olead, leafless bough of some 

 neighboring tree, where, sitting in a row, they are attended by the 

 parents with great assiduity. In a day or two after this, they are 

 strong enough to fly, but they continue still unable to take their own 

 food. They therefore play about near the place, where the dams are 

 watching for flies ; and, when a mouthful is collected, at a certain 

 signal, the dam and the nestling advance, rising towards each other, 

 and meeting at an angle ; the young-one all the while uttering such a 

 short quick note of gratitude and complacency, that a person must 

 have paid very little regard to the wonders of nature, who has not re- 

 marked this scene. 



As soon as the dam has disengaged herself from the first brood, she 

 immediately commences her preparations for a second, which is intro- 

 duced into the world about the middle or latter end of August. 



During* every part of the summer, the Swallow is a most instructive 

 pattern of unwearied industry and affection : from morning to night, 

 while there is a family to be supported, she spends the whole time 

 in skimming along, and exerting the most sudden turns and quick 

 evolutions : avenues, and long walks under hedges, pasture-fields, and 

 mown meadows where cattle graze, are her delight, especially if there 

 are trees interspersed, because in such spots insects most abound. 

 "When a fly is taken, a smart snap from her bill is to be heard, not 

 unlike the noise of the shutting of a watch-case ; but the motion of the 

 mandibles is too quick for the eye. 



The Swallow is the excubitor to the House-Martins and other little 

 birds, announcing the approach of birds of prey : for as soon as a Hawk 

 or an Owl appears the Swalbw calls, with a shrill alarming note, ai 1 



