PLATE XLV. 
The Swallow 
Is a bird of pafTage, and does not make its appearance with us very early unlefs the weather be 
very fine and open, but generally before either the Martin or Swift. The Swallow chiefly makes 
choice of a chimney for its neft, and always occupies the corner as the eafiefl; to build in ; it is 
compofed of dirt as the Martin's is, but not of the fame ftrufture as the former, which is left open 
at top. I have known a Swallow to build in the Paflage of a Houfe for feveral fucceflfive feafons, 
which gives reafon to conclude that the fame bird returns year after year. They lay five eggs fpot- 
ted with a ftrong red ; they breed three or four times in a feafon; the young ones differ little in 
colour from the old. Their food is Flies, and they are perpetually on the wing for their prey. The 
young ones do not wholly provide for therafelves for thirteen or fourteen days after they quit the neft. 
At the latter end of the year, when the mornings get cold, I have obferved them in great numbers 
on the tops of houfes in full fong previous to their departure, and make choice of that fide of the 
houfe on which the fun rifes. Their wings are calculated for long and fwift flight. Some will 
aver that they hide themfelves in Rocks, others that they repair to fome warmer climate, as they 
have been feen on the rigging of Ships at Sea. 
