SWALLOW. 
503 
stop here ; for after stocking the bottoms of the 
lakes with birds, he stores the clouds with mice, 
which sometimes fall in plentiful showers in Nor- 
way and the neighbouring countries. 
If swallows can live, as some contend they can, 
for six months at the bottom of a river, Is it pos- 
sible that a submersion for twelve hours in a butt 
of water should completely kill them ? yet nothing 
is more strictly true ; since we tried every means in 
our power to recover two of these birds, which had 
met with this accident, without being fortunate 
enough to produce the smallest sign of returning 
animation* 
“ A musive birds ! say where your hid retreat. 
When the frost rages and the tempests beat ; 
Whence your return by such nice instinct led. 
When Spring, sweet season, lifts her bloomy head ? 
Such baffled searches mock man’s prying pride. 
The God of Nature is your secret guide !” 
We shall here notice the esculent swallow on 
account of his curious nest, which is considered as 
such a luxury in the East that it forms a con- 
siderable branch of traffic among the Javanese. The 
bird is described as smaller than the wren, with a 
brown back and forked tail, the feathers of which 
are tipped with white. 
This celebrated nest seldom weighs more than 
half an ounce, and is found of the shape of half a 
lemon, adhering to the roofs and sides of the rock. 
Its texture is said to resemble isinglass, or gum- 
drajon, and is externally composed of exceedingly 
