90 CLASS AVES. 



does there seem to be any other circumstance from which we 

 may reasonably conclude in favour of the instinctive pro- 

 pensity of this bird for the society of man, than that of its 

 attaching its nest to our dwellings, and this must be limited 

 in its extent. The architecture of Africa cannot afford similar 

 conveniences to these birds during their absence from Europe. 



This species is thought to be less familiar than the swallow, 

 properly speaking, and arrives here about the middle of 

 April, eight or ten days later than the other. They build in 

 the corners of windows, or under the eaves of houses. These 

 are composed exteriorly of earth or clay, especially worm 

 casts, which they moisten and agglutinate more effectually 

 than the best prepared wall of a mud cabin. Within, they 

 are lined principally with the feathers of other birds, dry 

 grass, &c. ; the nest is larger than that of the swallow, but 

 the opening, which is on the side at top, is smaller. They are 

 said to have three broods during their stay here, viz., in May, 

 June, and July, probably four or five at a time. 



Each incubation continues about fifteen days, and so well 

 do the parents supply their young with food, that the crop 

 may be observed to be enormously distended, and the young, 

 as it is said, to weigh even more than the old birds ; nor do they 

 quit the nest immediately on being able to fly, but continue 

 some time longer to nestle with the parent bird. 



It appears, that in the south of Europe, these birds do not 

 confine themselves to human habitations, but frequent also 

 marshy spots, where they build and rear their young ; and it 

 is observed of these by Montbeillard, that they do not, like 

 those which frequent houses, return several seasons to the 

 same nest, but build a new one every year. 



The Common Swallotv, or Chimney Swallow, so called 

 to distinguish it from the marten, or window swallow, is best 

 distinguished by the feet, which are naked, while those of its 

 congeners are downy. This species visits us a few days earlier 

 in the spring than the marten ; nor does it migrate, as is said, 



