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damp dull weather it skims close over the ground, following every irregularity in it in search of 
its insect prey. Their great power of flight enables them to persecute and put to flight most of 
the birds of prey which may happen to intrude on their domain; and on the appearance of any 
such intruder they all collect and join in driving him away, in which they generally succeed. 
Soon after the arrival of the Swallow at its summer quarters it commences nidification. As 
a rule, if undisturbed, it takes possession of its old nesting-place; and if some favourite nook 
exists, its nest may repeatedly be destroyed before it will accept notice to quit and take up 
its residence elsewhere. Usually some convenient place under the eaves of a roof, or on the 
beam of an outhouse, or in any shed where ingress and egress are easy, is selected; or it will 
place its nest down the shaft of an old well, on the face of a rock or quarry, or not unfrequently 
in a chimney, the latter place being doubtless selected for the sake of warmth. ‘The nest is open 
at the top, and resembles half a cup; it consists of a tough shell composed of mud or dirt care- 
fully worked together with pieces of straw until it becomes a tough, strong structure; within 
this crust straws are carelessly disposed; and the inner bed is composed of a quantity of soft 
feathers. I have never watched to observe how long it takes the bird to finish its nest; but 
Mr. Benzon informs me that he finds that a week is about the time employed in its construction. 
The shape of the nest varies somewhat according to the place where it is built: if placed on a 
beam it is nearly circular; but when in a corner it is fitted in so that the front wall does not 
even make a half section of a circle. This bird has an especial predilection for the vicinity of 
inhabited places, and especially in country places, where amongst the peasantry it is a welcome 
guest, and it is considered fortunate if it builds on the house. It will place its nest in places 
where people are passing and repassing every moment of the day. Mr. Benzon tells me that at 
Stubbekjébing, in Denmark, his birthplace, he observed a pair of Swallows which built year 
after year in a shop which was almost all day long full of peasants. He also says that in a cow- 
house in the same village, where the beams were especially suited for nesting-places for the 
Swallows, he counted in July 1871 as many as sixty odd nests, and adds that the Swallows kept 
the cowhouse entirely free from gnats, flies, and other insects, thus amply paying rent for their 
quarters. Not unfrequently when the Swallow has carefully finished its nest it is ousted by 
some stronger bird, who takes possession, and forces the peaceful Swallow to construct a fresh 
one. Ihave known one or two instances where Sparrows have taken possession and turned out 
the rightful owners; and Mr. Benzon informs me of two instances where the Spotted Flycatcher 
(Muscicapa grisola) has turned out the Swallows as soon as the latter had finished their nest, 
and taken forcible possession of the comfortable tenement. 
Usually the Swallow breeds twice in the season, the first eggs being deposited in May, and 
the second lot in July, or occasionally as late as the early part of August. Strictly a monogamist, 
it would appear that Swallows pair for life; but should by any chance one of the pair be 
kiiled, the survivor soon finds another mate. The number of eggs usually deposited is four or 
five, seldom six; and the eggs are white, sparingly marked with purplish grey underlying shell- 
markings, and with more profusely scattered surface-spots and small blotches, which are generally 
most numerous at the larger end. Specimens in my collection, from various parts of Europe, do 
not differ much infer se, and in size measure from 2% by 2} inch to 32 by 33 inch. 
Mr. Benzon informs me that the earliest-taken eggs he possesses were obtained on the 8th 
