I06 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



moderate sized foot, and lax plumage, which upon the upper parts gleams more or less with 

 metallic lustre. 



THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



The Chimney Swallow (Cecropis-Hirundo-rusiica) is seven inches long and twelve broad, the 

 wing measures four and a half and the tail about three inches. The upper part of the plumage is 

 glossy blueish black ; the brow and throat are chestnut brown, a broad line upon the head black, 

 and the other parts of the body reddish yellow. The five outer feathers of the tail are adorned with 

 round white spots upon the inner web. The female is not quite so dark as her mate, and the young 

 are still paler. This species breeds throughout the whole continent of Europe, if we except its 

 extreme north. In the northern parts of Asia and Africa it is replaced by a very similar species — 

 the Rust-red Swallow (Cecropis cahirica, or Cecropis Boissoncauti), which is very numerous in 

 Egypt. The North American House Swallow {Cecropis Americana), the South American 

 Red Swallow (Cecropis rufa), and the Cecropis ncoxena are also very nearly allied species, but 

 somewhat less in size than their European relative. 



We are desirous our readers should fully understand that the Chimney Swallow is essentially 

 a native of Europe, and that when it wanders to warmer regions it does not " homeward fly," but 

 exactly the contrary, being then compelled, by reason of the approach of winter, to leave its native 

 land " in distant climes to roam," until such time as the breath of spring has caused the snow and 

 frost completely to disappear, and the leaves have again burst forth upon the trees. When these 

 migrations are about to commence, the Swallows assemble in very large flocks, which congregate 

 upon the trees or houses, and keep up such an incessant twitter and commotion as would lead an 

 observer to suppose that they are discussing the important journey they are about to undertake. 

 The Swallows usually leave Europe about September or October ; according to our own observation, 

 they often travel as far south as eleven degrees north latitude, and are constant winter guests in India 

 and Ceylon ; by the end of April, however, they are with us again, and have either sought out 

 their old nests or chosen a proper spot on which to build. For this purpose, they generally select 

 such districts as are in the vicinity of water; and, "although the Chimney Swallow has received 

 its most general name from the somewhat peculiar position in which it frequently builds its nest, 

 it by no means confines itself to chimneys, but builds readily in almost any suitably-sheltered 

 position. Thus, the disused shafts of mines and the sides of old wells are sometimes resorted to. 

 Occasionally it will build in the roof of a barn or shed, attaching its nest to the rafters ; or in a garret 

 or passage to which it finds easy access. ■ In almost all cases it selects a point where some projection 

 from the wall, ' some coign of vantage ground,' forms a buttress on which its nest may be supported. 

 The nest is constructed principally of mud or soft earth, collected in small pellets from the edges 

 of ponds and other wet places ; these are carried home in the bird's bill, and plastered on to the 

 spot selected for the nest; fresh pellets are then brought and added, together with numerous 

 straws and leaves of grasses, until the whole is gradually moulded into the form of an open saucer, 

 attached by one side to the wall of the chimney or other place of retreat. A lining of feathers is 

 then put into the nest, and upon these the eggs are laid." Such of these nests as are well sheltered 

 from the wind and rain are often employed for many years, and that, not merely by the original 

 builders, but by successive generations ; any little repairs required being made from time to time 

 by the occupants. 



The Chimney Swallow, though by no means a powerful or hardy bird, possesses such an amount 

 of life and spirit as is seldom met with in any other members of the feathered race, and which no 

 inclemencies of weather or scarcity of food can entirely quell. Its appearance is extremely trim, and 

 its disposition so brisk and lively that it has ever been an especial favourite. Morning has scarcely 



