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The Hofi/e Swallow. Hirundo domeftica. 



Numb. XLV. 



^J^^/^ 



ITS Length is feven Inches from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tall j the Breadth 

 when the Wings are extended, twelve Inches and a half; Weight fifteen Drams and 

 a half ; the Bill is fhort, black, flat and depreffed, very broad at the Head ; but fharp- 

 pointed, black alfo on the infide ; but the Tongue and Roof of the Mouth yellow; the 

 Aperture of the Mouth gaping very wide, for the Conveniency of catching Flies and 

 Gnats asfhe flies ; the Tongue fhort, broad and cloven ; the Eyes great and furnifhed with 

 nidlating Membranes ; the Irides of the Eyes hazel-colour'd j the Feet fhort and black ; 

 the outermoftToe growing to the middlemoflat Bottom. 



The Head, Neck, Back and Rump are of a very lovely fhining, bur dark purplifh blue 

 Colour ; as well above as underneath the Bill is a deep orange-colour Spot ; the Throat 

 is of the fame Colour with the Neck ; the Breafl and Belly white with a dafh of red ; as 

 are alfo the interior covert Feathers of the Wings ; the Tail forked confifling of twelve 

 Feathers, the outermofl of which are an Inch longer than the next, and end in fharp Points : 

 Of the interior Feathers the middlemofl are the fliorteft in Degrees, and fo in order to 

 the exterior, but the Difference much lefs ; all the Feathers of the Tail, except the two 

 middlemoft, are black and each adorned with a white Spot, which Spots crofs the Tail in 

 a flreight Line ; the two middlemoft want the white Spot : The Wings have eighteen 

 quill Feathers alike black ; but all the covert Feathers are of a deep blue like thofe of 

 the Back. 



In the Stomach of an old Bird were found Beetles; in the Stomach of the young many 

 fmall pellucid, unequal Stones tinftured with a fair claret Colour ; not far from the Eggs 

 fmall Worms fpirally rolled up, of three Inches Length, Thefe Birds build in Chimneys 

 and under the Copings of Buildings. They gather together about the latter End of Sep- 

 tember, and are faid to fly into hot Countries, viz. Egypt and Mthiopia^ &c. to winter there. 

 The Flefh is eaten in Italy, and is a Specifick againfl the Falling-Sicknefs. The Afhes of 

 them two Drams, Powder of Rofin one Dram, and Honey of Rofes mixt and applied, 

 helps the Quinfey and Inflammation of the Uvula. 



The Stone found in the Stomach of the young Swallow, taken at the Full of the 

 Moon, and bound to the Arm, or hung about the Neck of young Children, is faid to cure 

 the Falling-Sicknefs and Quartan Agues. They foretel Rain, when they fly about Lakes 

 and Water, or near the Ground. Their Food is Flies, Gnats and other Infeds. 



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