46 
THE SWALLOW. 
The nature of the Swallow’s nest is worthy our serious 
observation : how the mud is extracted from the sea-shores, 
rivers, or other watery places; how masoned and formed 
into a solid building, strong enough to support a whole 
family, and to face the u pelting storm,” are wonders which 
ought to raise our mind to Him who bestowed that instinct 
upon them. 
ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTE. 
It is related that a pair of Swallows built their nest for 
two successive years on the handle of a pair of garden 
shears, that were stuck up against the boards in an out- 
house; and, therefore, must have had their nest spoiled 
whenever the implement was wanted. And what is still 
more strange, a bird of the same species built its nest on 
the wings and body of an owl that happened to hang dead 
and dry from the rafters of a barn, and so loose as to be 
moved by every gust of wind. This owl, with the nest on 
its wings, and with eggs in the nest, was taken to the 
museum of Sir Ashton Lever as a curiosity. That gentle- 
man, struck with the singularity of the sight, furnished the 
person who brought it with a large shell, desiring him to 
fix it just where the owl had hung. The man did so; and 
in the following year a pair of Swallows, probably the same, 
built their nest in the shell, and laid eggs. 
