SWALLOWS LN SCHOOL^. 
145 
do not rest on the leaf, the body is inclined forwards, it is not 
erect like a squirrel ; this is just the position I have seen the 
harvest mouse take when eating, and not on the ground. Such 
conditions would be the artist’s opportunity for watching so shy 
and lively a creature. The tail is raised, and curved like an S ; 
the curve at the tip is very close and small, like a tendril ; it 
almost touches the ear of corn which is obliquely above the 
mouse ; the lower curve is part of a much larger circle. I 
observed that my own mouse generally tried to wind his tail 
round a support higher up than that on which he was standing. 
As to the curves above mentioned, I can think of no more 
characteristic representation of a prehensile tail in use than 
this in its suggestion of suppleness, strength, and purpose. 
Fortunately for my argument we here come upon a diagnostic 
character of Mus minutus ; this species is the only member of the 
mouse tribe in Europe which has a truly prehensile tail (see 
Transactions of the Zoological Society, 1888, p. 237). 
Thus, as I believe, an artist, by means of trained hand and 
observing eye, so seized the points which the individual life 
before him made most salient, as to figure accurately a species 
2,000 years before systematists gave it a name. 
Constance Garlick. 
SWALLOWS IN SCHOOL. 
R several years two pairs of swallows have built their 
nests and reared their broods inside our schoolroom — 
one pair in the infants’, and one in the school for older 
scholars. They always build at about the same height, 
though not in the same place, in the rafters of our old-fashioned 
building. The matter of site is not settled without survey and 
amicable discussion between the pair. Two or three places 
were carefully investigated this spring, before the one chosen 
was fixed upon. It is conveniently situated at the same level 
as the ventilator in the gable, through which they pass in and 
out. The matter of site having been settled, the happy pair 
indulged in a few vocal duets before proceeding to the serious 
business of house building. These were charming little per- 
formances, ending with a “ chree, chree, chree.” It was 
amusing to note that when they did not make a fair start they 
politely began again. 
This year’s nests have, of course, been built, and the broods 
hatched off (June 4th), and the old birds have small leisure now 
for music. The school children are not much disturbed by 
* The two species of Dendromys are the other examples; they belong to South 
Africa. 
