BARN SWALLOW. I2 y 



the sky, the trees, or any other common objects of Nature, 

 are not better known than the swallows. We welcome their 

 first appearance with delight, as the faithful harbingers and 



with straw, and lined with feathers, placed against a rafter, beam, or 

 wall, and open at top. 1 The eggs also very similar. 



Bewick mentions a curious instance of variation, which may be also 

 taken as a strong proof of the annual return of birds to the same build- 

 ing-places. " At Cameston Hall, near Bath, a pair of swallows built 

 their nests on the upper part of the frame of an old picture over the 

 chimney — coining in through a broken pane in the window of the room. 

 They came three years successively, and, in all probability, would have 

 continued to do so, if the room had not been put into repair, which pre- 

 vented their access to it." 



Swallows have been divided into various genera, as might be supposed 

 from their being commonly indicated swallows, swifts, or martins. Some 

 form among these are found in almost every country, except as we ap- 

 proach the poles ; and in North America, where the whole Uirundinidce 

 will be comprised in six individuals, we have two real swallows, two 

 martins, the very strongly formed purple swallow, and the representa- 

 tive of the swifts in Ghostura pelasgica. These will come under observa- 

 tion as we proceed. The present, with the republican, or cliff swallow, 

 figured by Bonaparte in his continuation, with that of Europe, are true 

 forms of Hirundo, one which possesses great activity, though not so much 

 strength in flight as the swifts, but which will show the more exact 

 relative proportion of power between the members. They are very 

 generally distributed, have the wings long, and the tail forked ; the only 

 form where these members are more extended, is in the genus Macrop- 

 terix, lately formed by Mr Swainson from an Indian group, which will 

 perhaps show the farthest development of the wings and tail, but which 

 bear the same disproportion as in the broad-shaped and sickle-winged 

 humming birds. In all their various flights, the motions are conducted 

 with great celerity and elegance, and are directed by the rapid motion 

 of the tail. 



The subject of their migrations, which I believe takes place with all 

 species, and in all countries, has occupied much speculation ; of the fact 

 there can now be no doubt, and the collection of vast crowds together 

 before departure, seems more confined to this form than to any of the 

 others ; so far, at least, as my own observation has extended. The 

 American species congregate ; so do the republican swallows ; and 

 towards the end of August, our own may be seen daily in flocks, on the 



1 According to Professor Rennie, it is called, in Sweden, Ladu Swala, barn 

 swallow ; while, in the south of Europe, where chimneys are rare, it builds in 

 gateways, porches, and galleries. 



