Family HIRUNDINIDi^;. 



THE SWALLOW. 

 Hirundo rustica, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 15. 



The Swallow arrives in our islands early in April, about the loth of that month 

 being the usual time ; and takes its departure in September and October. 



It is widely distributed over Europe, ranging eastwards as far as Manchuria, 

 wintering in South Africa, India, China, and southward to the Malay peninsula. 



In May the Swallow begins its nest, which is placed in various sites, often on 

 the rafters of sheds and outbuildings, or in chimneys. The eggs vary in number 

 from four to six, and are white, marked with brownish-red spots. 



Gilbert White, who has given one of the best descriptions of the habits of this 

 bird, says : " In general with us this hirundo breeds in chimneys ; and loves to 

 haunt those stacks where there is a constant fire, no doubt for the sake of warmth. 

 Not that it can subsist in the immediate shaft where there is a fire ; but prefers one 

 adjoining to that of the kitchen and disregards the perpetual smoke of that funnel, 

 as I have often observed with some degree of wonder. 



" Five or six or more feet down the chimney does this little bird begin to form 

 her nest about the middle of May, which consists, like that of the house-martin, of 

 a crust or shell composed of dirt or mud mixed with short pieces of straw to render 

 it tough and permanent ; with this difference, that whereas the shell of the martin 

 is nearly hemispheric, that of the swallow is open at the top, and like half a dish : 

 this nest is lined with fine grasses and feathers, which are often collected as they 

 float in the air." 



The song consists of a succession of soft twittering notes. 



The insect food on which it subsists is taken during flight, as the bird sweeps 

 along, sometimes just above the ground. 

 The sexes are alike in colour. 



I. 



97 



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