THE BIRDS. 



535 



Each year they occupy two nests (fig. 1150), and it is a curious fact 

 that if the nests are in a tolerable condition they are used over and 

 over again, although from the situation in which these nests are placed 

 it is difficult to believe that any other but the same birds, or their young 

 ones raised in the same spot, could by any possibility have found them 



Fig. 1147- — Sand Martin. 



Fig. 1 148. — House Martin. 



In this summer-house we frequently have many visitors, when the 

 poor birds are somewhat scared ; even then they contrive to feed their 

 young, though the old birds show timidity, and often sit upon the 

 railing outside for some little time before they can summon up 



Fig. ii49.-Swallow. F"C=- nso.-swallow's Nest. 



courage to enter. However, the powerful instinct which prompts the 



birds to feed their young at length prevails, when they sweep into the 



house, and in an instant fly away again to obtain more food. The 



young birds sleep away their time till the parents come to feed them, 



when they take the food and sleep again. 



"A bird awakened in its nest 

 Gives a faint twitter of unrest, 

 Then smooths its plumes and sleeps again." 



Longfellow. 



