THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



HlRUNDO RUSTICA, LlNN. 



The name of Chimney Swallow was given 

 to this bird on account of its usually selecting 

 a chimney to build in. It likewise builds in 

 steeples, ruins, rocks, and the sides of pits and 

 quarries. 



The Swallow is rather low on the scale as a 

 vocalist ; yet his twittering lay is often listened to 

 with delight whilst perched on the chimney top 

 at early dawn. The song consists of a short strain 

 prettily enough modulated, repeated at intervals, 

 and always ending with a shrill note rapidly shaken. 

 He also sings on the wing in fine weather. 



The length of this bird is seven inches, and the 

 breadth about twelve. One remarkable character 

 of the Swallow is the great length of the external 

 feathers of the tail, and the deep fork which they 

 give to that appendage. The young of the same 

 year have not the long tail-feathers. 



The Swallow is undoubtedly (says White) the 

 first comer of all the British Hirundines, and 

 appears in general on or about the 13th of April ; 

 now and then a straggler is seen much earlier. 



The most lovely scenes would lose much of their 

 summer interest, if it were not for the presence and 



