142 THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
of her sister, is inconsolable for her loss, and at 
length determines to seek her in other climes ; and, 
having found her, they return together the following 
spring. 
Early in the spring, when the warmth of the sun 
begins to animate the insect tribe, and to rouse them 
from their state of torpidity, — when the gnat and 
beetle change their outward robes, and issue forth 
upon the wing, — 'then we may expect to see the 
swallow returning, after its long migration, from dis- 
tant lands. Generally, the beginning or middle of 
April, they have taken up their summer quarters ; 
at first they appear but seldom, flying heavily and 
slowly, as if exhausted by their long voyage ; but 
as the weather grows warmer, and the supply of 
insects increases to afford them nourishment, their 
strength and activity improve. 
The food of the swallow consists of insects, which 
they pursue flying wdth their mouths open ; and 
during the heat of summer they are for ever on the 
wing, chasing their prey with amazing swiftness; 
the insects endeavour to avoid the swallow by 
windings and turnings, but he is so admirably fitted 
by nature, that they seldom escape him ; for, besides 
