Hirundo 99 



Plinv. 



Hirundines build nests of mud, and strengthen 

 them with straw. And if there ever be a scarcity 

 of mud, they sprinkle a good store of water from 

 their feathers on the dust, which is thus moistened. 

 The nest itself they further line throughout with soft 

 feathers and wool, to thus keep the eggs warm, and 

 also that it may not be too hard for the young chicks. 



There is another sort of the Hirundines of the 

 country and the fields, which rarely build their 

 nests in houses, different in shape^ but of the 

 same material, and facing wholly upwards, having 

 entrances prolonged into a strait with a capacious 

 belly ' ; it is wonderful how skilfully they are adapted 

 for concealing young, and soft for them to lie upon. 



There is a third kind of Hirundines which bore 

 in banks, and thus breed within holes. These make 

 no nests, and migrate many days before, if it be likely 

 that the stream in flood should reach them. 



Of the Apodes, from Aristotle. 



Some birds are weak-footed, and for that reason 

 from the smallness of their feet are known as Apodes. 

 This kind of little bird is very strong upon the 

 wing, just as some others that are nearly like it 

 seem to lose in strength of foot proportionately as 

 they gain in power of flight, as the Hirundo and the 

 Falcula, in other words Riparia. For all these in 

 their habits, flight, and look seem very near each 

 other. The Apes may be seen at all times of the 

 year, but the Riparia only in summer, when the rains 

 begin : for then it is both noticed and is caught. In 



1 Pliny evidently refers to Hirundo rufula, which builds a flask- 

 shaped nest against a cliff. 



7—3 



