182 
RUFOUS SWALLOW. 
these nests occurred to Dr. Kriiper and myself, in a 
cave at the entrance to the little Klissoura. Fastened 
to the roof of this cave, (Avhich was on the face of a 
low cliff, and not easy of access,) we espied a very 
good nest of H. rufula, {Daurica,') upon which Dr. 
Kriiper proceeded to operate with a penknife, whilst 
I placed my hand over the month of the passage. 
Presently something that felt cold, like a dog’s nose, 
began rubbing against the palm. On withdrawing the 
hand a thick snake poked his head out of the aj^erture, 
looked around for aAvhile, and then popped in again. 
He Avas in very good quarters, and evidently intended 
to take a lease of the premises, which just suited him, 
as he could coil himself up in the bulb of the retort, 
Avith his head and neck stretched out along the passage, 
in readiness for any emergency. We soon had him 
sprawling on the floor of the caAx, Avhen it became 
apparent that he had SAvallowed a full-groAvn young 
SAvalloAv; the other three being in all probability destined 
for a similar fate. The sensations of those Avr etched 
little victims, lying in such close contact Avith their 
horrible enemy, must have been someAvhat akin to those 
of Ulysses and his companion in the caA’e of Polyphemus. 
In the destruction of the nest tAvo of them made their 
escape; the fourth was captured and preserved by 
Kriiper, together Avith the first, which, on being cut 
out of the body of the snake, Avas found to be A^ery 
little injured as a specimen. The walls of the cave 
Avere smooth and nearly perpendicular; the roof at 
least seven feet above the floor, and no cracks visible; 
how then could this monster have Avriggled himself 
into such a well-stocked larder?” 
Mr. Simpson further informs us that every European 
species of Hirundo and Cypselas (except, perhaps, H. 
