CHAPTER X. 



THE HOUSE-JIARTIX, OR WIXDOW-SWALLOW. 



During our winter, swallows inhabit warm tropical countries, 

 migrating- northwards with the first approaches of summer. 

 They are usually seen with us from the 13th to the 20th of April, 

 and are useful from the first day of their arrival, by clearing 

 the air of insects, which they take on the wing ; indeed, they 

 may be said to live almost wholly on the wing, and, except when 

 collecting mud for their nes's, are seldom seen to alight, and, in 

 drinking, dip down to the water as they skim over it on rapid 

 wing. 



We have three kinds of swallows in England : the chimney- 

 swallow, the house-martin, and the 'sand-martin, of which I 

 shall have something to say in due course. The chimney swal- 

 low and house-martin are especially worthy of the affectionate 

 regard of man ; for they love his society, build around his 

 dwelling, destroy nothing that he values, have no appetite for 

 his fruits ; they live harmoniously amongst themselves, and have 

 no other disposition than that of cheerfulness, unwearying in- 

 dustr}' and perseverance, and the most devoted parental 

 affection. 



Mr. A\'eir has given us a lively picture of swallow-life — four 

 nests grouped together on a house-side : more there probably 

 are ; but there are as many as we can. manage with ; indeed we 



