SWALLOW. 
3 
their nest on the head of a red deer, which was nailed on a small wooden porch that formed the entrance 
to the lodge. The nest was built on the upper portion of the skull, between the bases of the antlers. The 
birds were perfectly fearless ; and while the female was sitting, the favourite perch of the male was on one of 
the brow-antlers. 
Swallows and Martins may frequently be observed, when flying over a river or pond, dipping down to 
the water either to drink or seize a submerged insect. This operation is generally easily effected. Several 
hundreds of these birds, however, lost their lives in this manner a few years back in the east of Sussex. 
The water had been drawn off from a large pond in order to thin down the fish ; and although the surface still 
retained its usual appearance, it was in reality nothing more than a thick black mud of about the consistency 
of treacle. No sooner had the wing of one unlucky bird been caught by the mud while skimming too 
closely over the surface, than the struggles of the sufferer brought scores to the spot ; and within an hour 
or two the mud was dotted all over with hundreds of dead and dying victims. Some of those nearest the 
shore were reached with landing-nets, and after being cleansed from the mud in fresh water, and placed 
in the sun for a short time to dry their feathers, made good their escape. 
Though it is now some years since I observed the performance, professional birdcatchers arc well aware 
how readily Swallows can be attracted by a decoy of their own species. The brace-birds they employ are 
perfectly untrained, and simply flutter helplessly in the air when the twig or perch* to which they are 
attached is lifted. I have watched numbers captured in this manner — almost every Swallow that appeared 
in sight being drawn to the spot by the struggles of the dangling prisoner, and flying straight for the fatal 
nets. Two or three are often taken at a single pull while skimming rapidly past or hovering for a moment 
over the lure. As the object in capturing these unfortunate birds may possibly seem a mystery, it may 
be as well to state that there was at one time a considerable demand for the skins by plumassiers. Dozens 
and dozens were supplied for trap-shooting, though the numbers procured for this purpose were limited, as 
the hapless captives were supposed to show no sport if they had been any length of time in confinement. Like 
Starlings, if crammed in the villanous store-cages, Swallows soon become incapable of flight, and refuse to 
rise when liberated from the trap. Their wretched bodies were also often to be detected among the rows of 
Wagtails and other small birds that, plucked and neatly ranged round a dish or impaled on a wooden skewer, 
were hawked as Wheatears about tbe streets of towns on the south coast by females of far from inviting 
aspect. 
Insects of various kinds captui’ed on the wing form the food of this harmless and useful bird. I watched 
a pair or two of Swallows flying close over the trees and shrubs in a garden near Brighton at half-past eight 
one evening during the last week in July; and though it was impossible to see clearly, in consequence 
of dull and gloomy weather and rapidly approaching darkness, I tvas almost forced into the belief that 
the cockchafers, which were swarming round the trees, must be the object of their search. I should imagine, 
however, these insects would prove too large and tough a prey. 
These birds may often be obseiwcd collected in great numbers on the limbs oi trees ; and they have 
no more favourite resting-place than the wires of the telegraph : here they may at times be seen gathered 
in immense flocks; I have watched occasionally an almost unbroken line of birds stretching lrom post 
to post. Towards the end of summer large flocks, composed for the most part ol young, resort at roosting- 
time to the reeds and willows overhanging streams, or the large beds of water-plants, reeds, rushes, and 
other rank-growing vegetation that are found in marshy districts. In the latter end of July 1881 1 discovered 
a favourite haunt of some hundreds of SAvallows, in the midst of a dismal swamp in the east oi Norfolk. 
Passing the spot on several evenings, we disturbed the birds on each occasion ; and it is singular that 
* Known as the “ swish ” among professionals. 
