I20 THE SWALLOW 



The herds their winter shelter leave 



For mountain side and top ; 

 ■ And goats begin to sport and skip, 



And early buds to crop ; 

 Beasts, birds, and men all give themselves 



To joy and merry heart. 

 And ice and snow and northern winds 



Are melted and depart. 

 Foul February, snowy March, 



Fair April will not tarry. 

 Hence, February ! March, begone ! 



Away the winter carry ! 

 Fritz ! Pritz ! " 



— Translated by Countess Martinengo-Cesaresco. 



A cordial and unique welcome was given 

 the swallows to the Island of Rhodes about 

 twenty-five centuries ago. In the month of 

 Boedromion (our February) the children were 

 accustomed to go about the streets of the 

 villages singing the " Swallow Song," and 

 demanding of the people gifts of cakes, wine, 



« 



cheese, etc., for the swallows. They even 

 threatened to break down the door and carry 

 off the little wife of him who dared to refuse 

 them. This was their song, in the charming 



