216 On the Ornithology of Wilts \_Hirundinidaf\. 



often called the " chimney Swallow/' and by French naturalist® 

 " Hirondelle de la cheminee" because it frequently selects a chimney 

 for its nesting place, though sometimes the shaft of an old mine orl 

 the rafter of an outhouse are deemed good substitutes : for the 

 same reason the Germans style it " Die Rauch Schwalbe " or 

 " Smoke Swallow." Its great power of wing enables it to visit 

 very distant countries : passing the colder months of winter in the 

 interior of Africa, as spring advances it migrates northwards and 

 penetrates almost to the frozen seas and shores lying near the 

 North Pole : in this country we may generally observe one or two 

 pioneers arriving in advance of the main body : and so regularly 

 does this occur that there is scarcely an European language which 

 does not contain the old Spanish proverb, " one Swallow does not 

 make summer." In fine weather it flies so high as to be barely 

 detected from below, and this is a well known signal that no 

 storms are at hand : for at such times it is in pursuit of high-soar- 

 ing insects which are wonderfully susceptible of atmospheric 

 changes, and descend to the earth when clouds begin to gather : 

 when therefore the Swallow flies low, we know that it has followed 

 its victims downwards, and that rain is at hand. But it is only in 

 the bright sunshine, and under cloudless skies that this joyous bird 

 seems to exult : then you may see it wheel through the air, or 

 skim over the water, and drink and bathe while on the wing, and 

 scatter the bright drops over its shining plumage ; and it is really 

 sad to think how many of these happy innocent birds fall victims 

 to the thoughtless persecution of youthful gunners, who fire at 

 them for no other object than for practice, or from wanton thought- 

 lessness, regardless alike of their sufferings, their harmlessness and 

 the benefits they confer : and one would rejoice to see them invested 

 here with some of the love and reverence shown towards them by 

 the inhabitants of Scandinavia, among whom the following pretty 

 legend is a familiar household tale ; " when our Blessed Lord was 

 crucified a little bird came and perched upon the Cross, peered 

 sorrowfully down upon the sufferer, and twittered ' Hugsvala, svala 

 svala Honom, f 'console, console, console Him:' and hence it 

 obtained the name of Svala (Swallow). In consequence of the 



