CHAPTER III 



THE SWALLOW IN LEGEND AND HISTORY 



In addition to her peculiar physical traits, 

 accounted for in the legends of the preceding 

 Chapter, the swallow's moral qualities, as 

 shown in her relations with other birds and 

 with various animals, have been made the 

 subject of legend. The blackbird, the mon- 

 key, the raven, the cock, the cuckoo, and the 

 sparrow — each, in contrast with the swallow, 

 falls short of her in wisdom and sagacity. 

 The swallow's association with man, some- 

 times bringing hirn good and sometimes evil 

 fortune, forms a curious chapter of legendary 

 history. 



The first two legends make plain the swal- 

 low's superior foresight in her dealings with 

 other birds. 



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