SWALLOW.
number were perched 011 tlie points of some slight IT exposed faggots and stakes whieh had been
driven into the mud to keep back the tides. Those that were settled on the twigs covered almost
every available spot for a distance of at least a quarter of a mile. When disturbed they Speedily gave
evidence that, though attempting to shelter from the force of the wind atid rain, they were by no means
incapacitated from flight or suffering from the effects of the storm. It was between 'J and LQ o'clock in the
morning when I observed tins galhcrinir; and on passing the same spot late in the afternoon, by whieh
time t h e weather had moderated, there was hardly a Swallow to be seen. As then' had been but a light
breeze in the early morning fill a few hours after daybreak, when the wind freshened, it is most probable
these birds had only managed to make the land after the commencement of the gale. Then tlndiug it
too rough to continue their journey, they had brought up in the best shelter available to wait for a
change of weather.
Swallows are speedily affected by a sudden change of temperature. I have on several occasions noticed
then much cut up by storms of wind and rain. At such limes they may be observed sheltering from the
cold and drifting scpialls behind banks and hedges, and apparently utterly incapable of the slightest exertion.
There is but little doubt that, as a rule, they leave our shores in the autumn in companies larger than
those which arrived in the spring. I never met wilh them on the return passage, but have frequently
noticed the gatherings that take place as the time for quitting our shores draws near. I believe it is usually
admitted that the majority have taken liner departure before November. Large numbers, however, remain
after that (kite in suitable localities. On several sunny days during the first and second weeks in November
1SS0 I Hatched a constant stream of Swallows Hitting up and down under the shelter of the rugged cliffs
that stretch from the Lnean Hock to the Land's End. Though a cold aud cutting wind from the north-east
was blowing at the time, the atmosphere below the level of the moss.^rown headlands was warm and
pleasant; and here the birds were able to escape the effects of the wlntery blast.
On looking over my noil's, I can find several instances where small parties of two or three, as well as
single lards, have come under my notice up to within a few days of Christmas. These were generally
observed on fine hot days hawking up and down in some warm spot, either under the shelter of a row of
bouses facing the south, or below the level of some range of cliffs where the exclusion of the wind and the
heat of the sun enabled the poor birds lo pick up a few insects, and prolong their lives till a continuation
of rough and stormy weather would put an end to their existence. These late stayers arc probably,
wilh but few exceptions, the young of backward broods too weak to attempt the passage of the Channel
when tin' main body take their departure. I consider it extremely doubtful if a single individual ever
survives the winter. When discovered half-starved and numbed by cold in some cn-vice to which they have
betaken themselves to die, they have frequently been described as hiliernating. These ridiculous reports
have led to the bclkT, in some remote country districts, that Swallows always retire on the approach of cold
weather to some convenient spot (cither under water, into the mud, or a cavity in some tree or building) and
t h e n sleep away the winter. Even as lately as the present summer (A.D. 1882) I have been gravely assured
that such was the fact.
There are few parts of the British Islands where Swallows are not welcomed and protected. It is seldom
that the troublesome habit of placing its nest, with all the accompanying dirt and filth, in undesirable
situations, which is so frequently laid to the charge of the Mouse-Mart in, can be ascribed to this species.
The interiors of chimneys arc perhaps most frequently resorted to for breeding-purposes. It also makes use
of the ratters and stays in boat-sheds, farm-lodges, and wooden bridges, to place its cradle on. I have seen
numbers of nests in tho roofs of the oast-houses or barns in whieh hops arc dried. In country districts
in the southern aud eastern counties where the hop is cultivated, such quarters appear to have sonic peculiar
attraction for these birds. lu the summer of lbfili, when iu Gleulyou, in Perthshire, a pan1 of SWHIIOWS placed
SWALLOW.
their nest on tho head of a red deer, whieh was nailed on a small wooden porch thai formed the entrance
to the lodge. The nest was built on the upper portion of the skull, between the bates of the antlers. The
birds were perfectly fearless ; aud w bile the female, was silting, (he favourite perch of the male was on one of
the brow-antlers.
Swallows and Marlins may frequently be observed, when Hying over a river or pond, dipping down to
the water cither to drink or seize a submerged insect. This operation is generally easily effected. Several
hundreds of these birds, however, lost their lives in this manner a few years back in the east of Sussex.
The water had been drawn oil' from a large pond in order to thin down the fish ; and although I lie surface still
retained its usual appearance, it was in reality nothing more than a thick black mud of about the consistency
of treacle. No sooner had the wing of one unlucky bird been caught by the mud while skimming loo
closely over the surface, than the struggles of the sufferer brought scores to tho spot; aud within an hour
or two the mud was dotted all over witli hundreds of dead and dying victims. Some of those nearest the
shore were reached with landing-nets, and after being cleansed from the mud in fresh water, and placed
in the sun for a short lime to dry their leathers, made good their escape.
Though it is now some years since I observed the performance, professional hirdoatchors are well aware
how readily Swallows can be atlraetcd by a decoy of their own species. The hraee-birds they employ are
perfectly untrained, aud simply flutter helplessly in the air wdien tho twig or perch* to which they are
attached is lifted. I have watched number! captured hi this manner—almost every Swallow that appeared
in sight being drawn to the spot by the struggles of the dangling prisoner, and flying straight for the fatal
nets. Two or three are often taken at a single pull while skimming rapidly past or hovering for a moment
over the lure. As the object in capturing these unfortunate birds may possibly seem a mystery, it may
be as well lo slate llial there was tit one time a considerable demand for the skins by pbuuassiers. Dozens
and dozens were supplied for trap-shooting, though the numbers procured for this purpose were limited, as
the hapless captives were supposed to show no spurt if they had been any length of time in confinement. Like
Starlings, if crammed in the villanous store-cages, Swallows soon become incapable of llinht, and refuse to
riso when liberated from the trap. Their wretched bodies were also often to be detected among the rows of
Wi.gtails and other small birds that, plucked and ne:.llj ranged round a dish or impaled on a wooden skewer,
were hawfced as Wheat ears about the streets of towns on the south coast by females of far from inviting
aspect.
Insects of various kinds captured on the wing form the food of this harmless and useful bird. I watched
a pair or two of Swallows flying close over the trees and shrubs In a garden near lirighlon at half-past eight
one evening during the last week iu July; and though if was impossible to see clearly, iu consequence
of dull and gloomy weather and rapidly approaching darkness, I was almost forced into the belief that
the cockchafers, which were swarming round the trees, must be the object of their search. I should imagine,
however, these insects would prove too large and tough a prey.
These birds may often be observed collected in great numbers on the limbs of trees; and (hey have
no more favourite resting-place than tho wires of the telegraph : here they may at times be seen gathered
in immense flocks; I have watched occasionally an abuusl unbroken line of birds stretching from post
to post. Towards the cud of summer large Hocks, composed for the most part of young, resort at roostingtime
to the reeds and willows overhanging streams, or the large beds of water-plants, reeds, rushes, anil
other rank-grow iitg vegetation that are found in marshy districts. In the latter end of July lfe-1 I discovered
a favourite haunt of some hundreds of Swallows, in the midst of a dismal swamp in the east of Norfolk.
Passing the spot on several eveuiugs, we disturbed the birds on each occasion; and it is singular that