AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 239 



\ CHINESE HOUSE SWALLOW. \ 



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This species is an exact reproduction of its distant cousin Hirundo 

 erythrogastra in general coloration and habits. In this section of China, 

 (Foo-chow) the bird is migratory in April and October. 



In the early Spring as the fields are green with the fast growing grain 

 great colonies of these little feathered friends may be seen sweeping 

 gracefully over the green, busily engaged in the regular pursuits of the 

 day. One who has left the beautiful land of "Sunny Tennessee," or a 

 like climate in the homeland, certainly feels as though he had met friends 

 as he for the first time in the year sees a bevy of these happy little 

 chatterers. To the most careful observer this specie seems to be the 

 the common Barn Swallow. They come in from the South full of 

 mirth and soon select a suitable nesting site and ere long are busily en- 

 gaged throwing up their earth works. 



The nest of this swallow is in all respects similar to that of the Barn 

 Swallow in America, except it is placed in the homes of the people. I 

 have never found a nest in an unoccupied house, though it may be that 

 sometimes such a site is chosen. It does seem however, that the bird 

 is very particular to choose such a building as is frequented by a great 

 many people, and more especially by children. I have often seen a 

 nest in the room of one of our schools where were gathered daily from 

 twenty to forty boys studying at the top of their voice. It is a recog- 

 nized fact that a school that cannot be heard for a "block" is not worthy 

 a place in the list of schools, and it is into such a room that these birds 

 find their way and plaster their nest upon some suitable place just a few 

 feet above the heads of the pupils. While the scholars are studying at 

 the top of their voices and the very greatest confusion seems to reign 

 supreme, the little family in the mud home, so close, while away the 

 time in perfect happiness. The parent birds pass in and out of the 

 open front, or door, of the room even while it may be occupied by a 

 group of scholars or spectators as the case may be. This friendly 

 nature of the swallow has secured for it the goodwill of the people, and 

 many superstitions and beliefs have arisen as a result. For more than 

 two years I have endeavored to secure a set of the eggs of this specie 

 and found it impossible to do so. I have gone into many school-rooms, 

 homes and chapels where there were one or more nests almost within 

 my reach but never was permitted to molest them. This feeling of 

 care for the birds is due to certain superstitions however, rather than 

 for any love for the bird. 



These superstitions are diffent in different localities. For instance, 

 at the city of Foo-chow it is universally believed among the heathen 

 people that if a nest of these birds is disturbed to the extent that the 



