SWALLOW. 
257 
INSESS ORES. HIRUNDINIDjE. 
F1SSIROSTRES. 
SWALLOW. 
Hlrundo rustica. 
PLATE LXV. FIGS. III. AND IV. 
There are but few of the minor pleasures of life, to be 
derived from the glorious works with which a kind Pro¬ 
vidence has on all sides surrounded us, that I could not 
more readily consent to part with than the visit of our 
cheerful friends the Swallows. They spend a part of their 
lifelong summer round about our dwellings; and, should we 
go beyond our doors, they are still, like some good spirit, 
hovering o'er us. If the day prove bright and beautiful, 
they may be seen, almost beyond the reach of vision, far 
away in the deep-blue sky. Should the weather be dull 
and cloudy, and we stray forth into the green fields, we 
shall there find them near us; at one moment rapidly 
crossing our path, and in the next coming to meet us. If 
we wander down the banks of the river, and are fond of 
fishing, they will be with us the day long, coursing up and 
down the stream, and ever and anon “ dipping their dap¬ 
pled wings," and, in the beautiful language of Wilson, 
“ sweeping over our fields and rivers, and through our 
very streets, from morning till night, that the light of 
heaven itself, the sky, the trees, or any other common 
objects of Nature, are not better known than the Swal¬ 
lows." 
There are but few so indifferent or unobserving as not 
to greet them with pleasure, on their return to us after a 
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