THE SWALLOW. 259 



never weary, and defying the eye to trace them in the 

 infinite turnings and twistings of their rapid shooting 

 flight. You frequently see them glide rapidly near the 

 ground, and then with a sidelong motion mount aloft, 

 to dart downwards like an animated meteor, their 

 plumage glowing in the light with metallic splendour, 

 and the row of white spots on the tail contrasting 

 beautifully with the darker plumage. 



Swallows may always be distinguished from other 

 birds when alighting, by their keeping the pinions in 

 motion until they are firmly seated on the chosen 

 perching place. This proves for ever the inability of 

 this bird to use its feet for motion — other birds gifted 

 with greater length and power of legs close the wings 

 just prior to alighting. When at rest its short legs pre- 

 vent it from walking or hopping, and if it does move on 

 its perching place, which is very seldom, the wings are 

 invariably called into use and aid it in its motions. 

 Therefore, once at rest, Swallows, Swifts, and Martins 

 usually sit motionless until their restless nature leads 

 them once more to course through the circumambient air. 

 The song of the Swallow, for he has a song both loud 

 and sweet, is uttered when the bird is in motion, although 

 he will sometimes warble forth in a subdued tone when 

 at rest. It is a song worthy of the bird's wandering and 

 buoyant nature, and fully harmonises with his rapid 

 flight. In the smiling month of May you are sometimes 

 puzzled by hearing a strange song in the air, perhaps 

 a hundred yards away. The song sounds nearer and 

 nearer, till at last, above your head, you find it is the 

 Swallow, singing as he flies, giving forth a long train of 

 rambling though pleasing notes. You hear him warble 

 most frequently in the late summer months, when his 

 young are coursing round him, and then it is heard in 



