126 
BARN SWALLOW. 
itself, the sky, the trees, or any other common objects of 
Nature, are not better known than the Swallows. We 
welcome their first appearance with delight, as the faithful 
as a strong proof of the annual return of birds to the same building places. “ At 
Cameston Hall, near Bath, a pair of Swallows built their nests on the upper 
part of the frame of an old picture over the chimney — coming in through a 
broken pane in the window of the room. They came three years successively, 
and, in all probability, would have continued to do so, if the room had not 
been put into repair, which prevented their access to it.” 
Swallows have been divided into various genera, as might be supposed from 
their being commonly indicated Swallows, Swifts, or Martins. Some form 
among these are found in almost every country, except as we approach the 
poles : and in North America, where the whole Hirundinidce will be comprised 
in six individuals, we have two real Swallows, two Martins, the very strongly 
formed Purple Swallow, and the representative of the Swifts in Chcetura 
pelasgica. These will come under observation as we proceed. The present, 
with the Republican, or Cliff Swallow, figured by Bonaparte in his continuation, 
with that of Europe, are true forms of Hirundo, one which possesses great 
activity, though not so much strength in flight as the Swifts, but which will shew 
the more exact relative proportion of power between the members. They are 
very generally distributed, have the wings long, and the tail forked ; the only 
form where these members are more extended, is in the genus Macropterix , lately 
formed by Mr Swainson from an Indian group, which will perhaps shew the 
farthest development of the wings and tail, but which bear the same dispro- 
portion as in the broad shaped and sickle winged Humming Birds. In all their 
various flights, the motions are conducted with great celerity and elegance, 
and are directed by the rapid motion of the tail. 
The subject of their migrations, which I believe takes place with all species, 
and in all countries, has occupied much speculation ; of the fact, there can now 
be no doubt, and the collection of vast crowds together before departure, seems 
more confined to this form than to any of the others ; so far, at least, as my 
own observation has extended. The American species congregate; so do 
the Republican Swallows ; and towards the end of August, our own may be 
seen daily in flocks, on the house tops or cornices, on railings, or on a bare tree, 
where the later broods are still fed and exercised by the parents, and the 
southern journey of the whole mass, as it were delayed until all had acquired 
sufficient strength. 
At times, these congregations are much greater than at others, or like some 
great assemblage from the neighbouring country. One of these took place 
in 1815 near Rotherham, and has been made the subject of an anonymous 
pamphlet, by a clergyman in that neighbourhood. The assemblage and 
departure is thus described in it : — ^- <c Early in the month of September, 
1815, the Swallows, that beautiful and social tribe of the feathered race, began 
