

of BIRDS. 187 
Their plumage, though not beautiful: i in itfelf, 
is glofled with different thades, fo as to fhew a 
: oar of colours, in different points of view. - 
The mouths of the Hirundo genus, or Swallows,. 
ate not like thofe of the Goatfucker, furnifhed 
with a vifcous, or clammy fubflance, to retain the 
fies and infets that they once have taken into 
: Ds beaks. : this is unneceflary to the Swallow 
Le tiibe, whofe fight is remarkably quick ; ; they feize 
the flying infects by a fudden {napping of the man- 
— Ubles, which can be heard at a diftance. 
: Sea ows are very fociable birds; they come, 
and fly, and migrate in confiderable flocks, and 
a in fone degree perform the kind offices of focial 
; Iie, by afifting one another in the conftrugtion 
i of their nefts, | 
~ Their nefts in general are formed with confides 
"bible care, and intelligence, Some fpecies build in 
the holes of walls, or in holes which they them- 
| - felves Prepare in fand rocks: they make the ca- 
Vities fuffcien itly deep to infure the fafety of their 
i | infant brood, and carry them: fuch materials, as 
« Thay enable them to lie foft and warm, and at 
«thei eale; others again build again houfes. 
~The fight of the Swallow is rapid, yet eal, 
and Continued; andindeed, this feems its na~ 
_ tural fate 5 it eats, drinks, and bathes, and even 
ne Keds its young upon the wings — 







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