THE GAPERS. 



105 



species as inhabit the torrid zones do not migrate, whilst those that visit comparatively cold countries 

 go to warmer climes as winter approaches, quitting and returning to their native lands at the 

 appointed period with such extraordinary regularity that the time of their appearance or departure 

 may be calculated almost to a day. As regards their intelligence, these birds are far superior 

 to most other members of the order. Their pleasing twitter may almost be termed a song, and 

 their flight is distinguishable by an ease and rapidity that has rendered it proverbial. All Swallows 

 bathe and drink whilst upon the wing. They subsist upon insect diet, which they obtain by darting 

 upon their tiny victims with marvellous velocity as they skim through the air, and swallow them 

 entire. They consume beetles and flies in enormous quantities, for their appetite is insatiable ; 



THE chimney swallow {Cccropis-ffirundo-ntstica). 



but bees and wasps, or any insect armed with a sting, they never touch, as their wonderful instinct 

 renders them fully aware that such morsels are not to be snapped at with impunity. Naumann 

 mentions that having upon one occasion put a wasp into the beak of a young Swallow, the bird 

 died almost immediately from the effects of the stinging it received whilst swallowing the insect. 

 Some species form most artistic abodes with bits of clay consolidated by means of the glutinous 

 spittle with which the members of this family are provided ; whilst others excavate deep holes for the 

 reception of the young, the same nests being employed for many successive years. The females 

 alone brood, and lay from two to six eggs. 



The TRUE SWALLOWS (Cecrqpis) are characterised by their slender and powerful body, wide 

 flat head, broad but very slightly curved beak, long wings, extending beyond the deeply-forked tail, 

 vol. 11.— 53 



