OF BIRDS. 
205' 
c^me to maturity. While she performs the duty of in- 
cubation, the male sits on some adjacent branch, to cheer 
the tedious hours by his harmonious voice, or, by the 
short interruption of his song to give her timely notice of 
approaching danger. 
Swallow. ( Hirundo . PL 33.) The swallow and its 
varieties may be easily distinguished by their short slen- 
der feet, and their very large mouths which, when they 
fly, are always kept open: their wings are also of immo- 
derate extent for their bulk; their plumage is glossed with 
a rich purple; and their note is a slight twittering, which 
they seldom exert but upon the wing. 
Early in the spring, when the solar beams begin to 
rouse the insect tribes from their annual state of torpi- 
dity, the swallow is seen returning from its long migra- 
tions beyond the ocean; and in proportion as the weather 
grows warmer, and its insect supply increases, it gathers 
strength and activity. The female builds her nest with 
great industry on the tops of chimnies, and sometimes 
breeds twice a year. These birds retire from the tem- 
perate latitudes, about the latter end of August, or be- 
ginning of September, and repair towards the equator f 
to pass the winter in more congenial climates. 
Martin. (PI. 33.) This bird is inferior in size to the 
swallow, and its tail is much less forked. The plumage* 
however, is nearly the same; the upper part of the body, 
w r ings, and tail being black glossed with purple: and the 
under parts white. These birds sometimes build against 
1 the sides of cliffs that overhang the sea; but more fre- 
quently under the eaves, in the corners of windows, or 
under cornices. The materials of the nest are earth, 
tempered and mixed with straw, and lined with feathers. 
It would be extremely difficult to bring up these birds 
in a state of confinement; owing to their subsisting en- 
tirely upon insects. 
Canary. (PL 33.) The canary bird or canary finch, 
was originally peculiar to those islands from whence the 
name is derived. They appear to have been first brought 
into Europe about the fourteenth century, but they are 
now so commonly bred in our own country, that they 
T 
