THE SWALLOW. 
67 
The barn-swallow resembles, in many respects, the European 
chimney-swallow ; yet it is, in fact, a different variety — entirely 
American. Where the European bird is white, ours is bright 
chestnut. They are one of the most numerous birds we have ; 
scarcely a barn in the country is without them; they seldom 
choose any other building for their home. They are very busy, 
cheerful, happy tempered creatures, remarkably peaceable in their 
disposition, friendly to each other, and to man also. Though 
hving so many together, it is remarkable that they do not quarrel, 
showing what may be done in this way by sensible birds, though 
very sensible men and women seem, too often, to feel no scruples 
about quarrelling themselves, or helping their neighbors to do so. 
They are often seen at rest on the barn roofs, and just before 
leaving us for a warmer climate, they never fail to collect out of 
doors on the fences and plants. They go as far north as the 
sources of the Mississippi, and winter far beyond our southern 
boundary. 
The chimney-swallow is also wholly American. The European 
bird, which builds in chimneys, is very different in many respects, 
placing its nest frequently in other situations, while our own is 
never known, under any circumstances, to build elsewhere. Be- 
fore the country was civilized, they lived in hollow trees ; but 
now, with a unanimity in their plans which is very striking, they 
have entirely deserted the forest, and taken up their abode in our 
chimneys. They still use twigs, however, for their nests, show- 
ing that they were originally a forest bird ; while many others, as 
the robin and the oriole, for instance, gladly avail themselves of 
any civilized materials they find lying about, such as strings, 
thread, paper, &c., &c. Our chimney swift has no beauty to 
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