THE SWALLOWS 63 
long journey they take in migration is probably, 
under fair climatic conditions, nothing at all 
formidable to them. If, however, they get caught 
in some storm or blizzard-like gale, it is an 
altogether different matter, and there are many 
records of the Mediterranean coast being littered 
with hundreds of dead bodies of the Swallows 
that have succumbed and fallen helplessly into 
the sea. Watching them flying about the river, 
or above the growing crops, one finds it difficult 
to picture a more perfectly happy existence—food 
in abundance, sunshine all day long, and a kindly 
welcome at roosting time in every house or rough 
mud-hut—and cheery and grateful it seems for it 
all, if one may judge by its lively twittering 
song. No wonder every country has made a 
special favourite of the Swallow. It is entirely 
msectivorous, and, as has been said of several other 
birds, the use that they are in this land of plagues 
of flies is enormous. 
Swallows’ nests, as is well known, are generally 
placed on some horizontal beam or masonry. 
Martin’s nests are placed on the perpendicular sides 
of buildings, and by choice close under the eaves 
of our broad-roofed houses. Both are built of mud, 
and the mud is very generally obtained from road- 
