IN PROVERBS AND RIDDLES 109 



and the going of the swallows. From 

 France we have: — 



The swallows in March arriving, 

 Not always make the spring ; 

 And in September, departing, 

 The clouds of autumn bring. 



The Austrians say that the swallows come 

 on the day of the Annunciation (March 25), 

 and go away on the birthday of Mary, the 

 Mother of Jesus (September 8) and they join 

 the events thus : — 



On the day of Mary's birth, 

 The swallows fly away — 

 And they come again to us. 

 Annunciation Day. 



In the proverbs which voice the quarrel 

 between the swallow and the sparrow, the 

 inner meaning meant to be conveyed is 

 that one should attend carefully to his 

 own household lest harm come unawares. 

 "When the swallow allows the sparrow to 

 enter her nest, she must make another for 

 herself," and "While the swallow is away 

 after food, the sparrow robs the nest" say 



