The Swallow. 4 ALS 
soon as the young Swallows have learned to hawk 
for themselves, the old birds build a second nest, and 
sometimes a third. When autumn has set in, these 
birds assemble in large flocks, and at the hour of sun- 
set are to be seen in great numbers where strong reeds 
and short willows are growing close to sheets of water. 
ieeenise season of the year they seem to be more 
sociable than at any other time, passing both day and 
night in companies of old and young. 
This bird is so well known, that it will be hardly 
necessary to give an account of all its movements, as 
its activity is generally known. It cannot be mistaken 
for any other bird, as, from its appearance, it may be 
easily recognized. Perhaps this bird is more easily 
told when seen in the spring of the year than in the 
autumn, as the forked tail is a decided characteristic, 
and can be easily distinguished; but when the fields 
around show golden sheaves, the young of the Swal- 
low has a different appearance to that of its parent, as 
the long feathers on each side of the tail do not show 
so soon, although the shape of the tail is forked, but 
not nearly to the extent of that of the old bird. 
