THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 
585 
recognizing, after haying examined the habits and mode 
of life of this much-loved bird. 
Of the six different species of the Swallow family, 
which are natives of Europe, the Common, or Chimney 
Swallow is the one held in the highest esteem. This 
is a well known, pretty, joyous creature, with a forked 
tail, long wings, and metallic blackish-blue back; the 
breast is rusty-yellow; the forehead and throat a rich 
chestnut: this species builds its nest inside farm- 
buildings, chimneys, &c.; it is open at the top. The 
Swallow is a summer guest in and about the homesteads 
of Central and Southern Europe; it shares the dwellings 
of the natives of Central Asia; and in its migrations is a 
visitant to all the countries of Southern Asia, or pene¬ 
trates into the very centre of Africa. I met with it in 
12° north of the equator, where it was still in the act of 
migrating and pushing further south, passing some five 
or six other members of the same family, which were 
permanent residents. The Chimney Swallow usually 
reaches us about the beginning of April, and then only 
singly, the main body following these pioneers somewhat 
later, when the warm weather has regularly set in; hence 
the old proverb,—“ One Swallow does not make a 
summer.” Soon after the arrival they take up their 
residence in the vicinity of man’s abode, and, seeking out 
the old nest of the previous year, gladden the hearts of 
both old and young. 
The Swallow is the type of innocent joy and of perfect 
confidence, ignoring sadness and distrust; besides this it 
is clean, neat, quick, active, fond of sport, and bold. Its 
flight is very beautiful, rapid, mobile, and active in the 
extreme, equalled by but few other birds. It swims, so 
to speak, through the air, gliding either straight ahead 
