WINDOW SWALLOW. 553 



These northern swallow-haters, we may, moreover, presume, are 

 either unacquainted, or have no relish for, one of the finest passages in 

 Macbeth, — unrivalled in the whole circle of poetry, as a transition of 

 repose from the turmoil of dark passions, to the soft quiet of summer, — 

 in which our little bird forms the gem of the picture, as correct too as 

 it is beautiful : — 



" This guest of summer, 



The temple-haunting martlet, does approve 

 By his lov'd mansiomy, that the heaven's breath 

 Smells wooingly here : no jutty, frieze, 

 Buttress, nor coigne of vantage, but this bird 

 Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle : 

 Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed 

 The air is delicate." 1 



Should our swallow-haters be religious, we may remind them that 

 the sweet Psalmist of Israel did not think the temple degraded by 

 affording them shelter : — " Yea, the sparrow hath formed an house, 

 and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may rear her young — 

 even thine altars, O Lord." 2 



The eggs are four or five in number, of a pure white. The young 

 never quit the nest till they are able to fly well, and are fed by the old 

 birds, frequently on the wing. At the time of incubation, and when 

 the young are first hatched, it is not uncommon to see both the old 

 birds in the nest together, in which place the act of consummation is 

 performed. 



These birds, like the rest of the genus, are constantly on the wing, 

 are rarely seen to perch on a tree, and seldom settle at all during the day, 

 except in the autumn, just before their winter migration, at which time 

 they assemble in large flocks on the roofs of houses and other buildings, 

 exposing themselves to the influence of the sun ; but we have never 

 been able to ascertain where they roost at night after they have for- 

 saken their nests ; but most probably in holes under the tiles and thatch 

 of houses. 



Much has been said by various authors concerning the winter state 

 and abode of this bird, and its congeners. To attempt to refute the 

 absurd idea of their immersion, would be a trespass on the patience of 

 our readers. It must, however, be observed, that their internal forma- 

 tion absolutely prevents it ; nor is there any occasion to resort to such 

 unnatural means, when no birds are furnished with more ample powers 



Act i. sc. 6. 



2 Psalm. Ixxxi. h. 



