ORDER RASSERES. 99 



These nests are of two kinds, the white and black. Some 

 inhabitants of Sumatra are of opinion that they are the work 

 of swallows of two diiFerent species. But Marsden, who 

 relates this opinion, presumes that the white nests are those 

 of the same year, and the black the old ones. He cites a 

 fact, which seems to set the matter at rest. The Sumatrans, 

 who collect these nests, destroy the old ones which they can- 

 not bring away, in great quantities, that they may have a 

 fresh supply of white ones in their place the approaching 

 season. 



These birds employ nearly two months to construct their 

 nests, lay two eggs in each, and hatch them for about fifteen 

 days. When the young are feathered is the time to carry off 

 the nests, which is done three times a year. It is certain 

 that these birds have three broods every year. They do not 

 appear, according to Kirker, on the coasts, except in the 

 laying season : but M. Poivre tells us, that they live all the 

 year round in the islets, and on the rocks where they were 

 bom. 



In the opinion of Sir George Staunton, followed by Dr. 

 Latham, there is more than one species of swallow engaged 

 in the construction of these curious and celebrated nests. 

 The Doctor gives a figure of what he names the esculent 

 swallow (for the subject we are now on he calls the edible), 

 with its nest, which is as large as the river swallow. This was 

 sent from Sumatra, with its nest and young, to Sir Joseph 

 Banks, who presented them to Dr. Latham. 



We shall now make a few observations on the swallows of 

 South Africa, from M. Levaillant. 



All the swallows which nestle in this part of the globe 

 remain there only during the summer season, when there is 

 the greatest degree of heat ; and all the species of hirundo 

 seen there during the winter of that country, or the rainy 

 season, called in these climates the bad monsoon, are birds 

 which come from other countries of Africa, after havinsr had 



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