534 ^y GARDEN. 



such an altitude that they are scarcely visible by the naked eye, and 

 therefore are safe from gun-shot. From the experience which the late 

 war has afforded, pigeons, though the emblems of peace, may become 

 useful accessories in war. For two thousand years the pigeon has been 

 used as a letter-carrier. Shakspeare alludes to the circumstance of 

 pigeons being thus employed : — 



" News, news from heaven ! 

 Marcus, the post is come." 



I have never seen the Goatsucker, or Nightjar {Caprimulgus euro- 

 paus), in or about my garden, although it appears a short distance from 

 it, where its silent flight towards night is a very interesting feature. 

 The Swift {Cypselus Apus, fig. 1 146) abounds in our district. Its scream 



Fig. 1146.— Swift. 



is very pleasing as it dashes by, and nowhere is this observed more 

 in perfection than at Florence, where the continuous screams of birds 

 which fly past the window make such an impression on the ear as 

 never to be forgotten. 



" To mark the swift in rapid giddy ring 

 Dash round the steeple, unsubdued of wing." 



Gilbert White. 

 The Sand Martin {Hirundo riparia, fig. 1147) may be seen skim- 

 ming over the lake, but it does not breed near the garden. The 

 House Martin {Hirimdo iirbica, fig. 1148) is a constant visitor, and 

 is the most numerous of all the Hirundinse. 



"As swift as swallow flies."— Shakspeare. 

 The Swallows {Hirundo rustica, fig. 1149) receive from us every 

 hospitality, and they build on the rafters of our large summer-house. 



