I06 THE SWALLOW 



she appears about the 21st of March, which 

 is Saint Benedict's day, and the people greet 

 one another with this proverb : — 



By Saint Benedict the Blest, 

 The little swallow's on her nest. 



She is first seen in France on March 25, 

 or sometimes as late as the loth of April, 

 and the folk, happy to be out in the spring 

 sunshine, repeat: — 



When their nests the swallows make, 

 We no longer shelter take. 



Then, as they see the fresh young green of 

 their grain fields, they add : — 



The swallows to the wheat fields bring 

 All the joys of fruitful spring. 



Berlin sees the swallow about the i8th of 

 April, but she does not reach Copenhagen^ 

 Denmark, until May 5th. In England, April 

 15th is called "Swallow Day," but if a bird 

 chances to be seen sooner, then may be 

 heard the familiar 



One swallow does not make a summer. 



