94 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH INLAND BIRDS 
smaller than a linnet, and of slender build. They 
arrive earlier than the Spotted Flycatcher, towards 
the end of April, and begin to build about the 
middle of May. The nest is placed in a hole in a 
tree in one of the rather thin and scattered woods 
or belts of low timber which the bird frequents, 
or occasionally in a hole in a wall ; it is made of 
roots and dry grass lined with hair. Six or seven 
is the usual number of the eggs, which are pale 
blue, paler than those of the Redstart, which 
builds in much the same situations. This species 
feeds principally upon insects, like the Spotted 
Flycatcher, but is less given to catching them 
upon the wing. 
SWALLOW. 
{Hirundo rusltca.) 
Barn Swallow, Chimney Swallow. — The marvel- 
lous ease, grace, and swiftness of the Swallow and 
its kindred species upon the wing seem to set 
them apart as almost a separate winged race, most 
bird-like among all birds, and we know from draw- 
ings and inscriptions upon ancient Greek vases 
that long before the Christian era the coming of 
the Swallow was felt to mark the beginning of 
spring, just as we look upon it to-day. But 
