Genus HIRUNDO, Linn.

Gen. Cuar. Bill short, much depressed, wide at the base; upper mandible bent at the
tip and carinated ; the gape extending as far back as the eyes. Nostrz/s basal, oblong,

partly covered by a membrane. ars? short. Toes slender, three before and one behind ;

the outer toe united to the middle one as far as the first joint. Tal of twelve feathers,

generally forked. Wengs long, acuminate, the first quill-feather the longest.
S iy S S [ S

CHIMNEY SWALLOW.
Hirundo rustica, Lenn.

LHirondelle de Cheminée ou domestique.

THE migration of the Swallow and the laws which regulate its movements are now so well understood that it
will scarcely be necessary to advert to them here. In the British Islands and in all other portions of the
European Continent, the period of its arrival may be calculated upon with tolerable certainty, a scattered few
generally appearing in all parts of the same latitude from the fifth to the tenth of April, after which period
their numbers become suddenly augmented, and the work of reproduction is almost immediately proceeded
with. Two broods are generally produced in the course of the season, the first being mostly able to fly before
midsummer, and the second in the month of August. The young on leaving the nest are assiduously supplied
with food, and carefully attended by their parents, until they are sufficiently strong to provide for themselves.
The task of incubation being accomplished, the Swallows congregate in extensive flocks, and in obedience to
the laws of nature retrace their steps, and pass the remainder of the year in more southern countries, where
the insect food so essential to their existence is ever abundant. In this migratory movement, the adults, we
are inclined to believe, always precede their progeny, which remain with us as long as the weather continues
open and a suflicient supply of insects can be obtained for their subsistence.

The members of this aérial tribe are only excelled in their power of flight by the Cypsek, or Swifts, and
are seen to the greatest advantage in the air, where their dexterity in securing their prey, the manner in
which they drink while passing over the stream, and the celerity with which they feed their young while on
the wing, cannot fail to call forth our admiration.

It is now generally admitted that the Barn Swallow of America is quite distinct from the British species ;
consequently the range of our bird is limited to the Old World. In the summer months the Hirundo rustica
is universally dispersed over the whole of Europe, whence, as before stated, it migrates periodically into tro-
pical regions; and as all migratory animals move from north to south, and vice versa, Africa constitutes its
winter residence.

In the British Islands the sites chosen for its nests are the interiors of chimneys and of coal-pits; but in
many parts of the Continent, where these situations are not frequently met with, it builds on church towers,
old ruins, the eaves of houses, barns, and other outbuildings. The eggs are four or five in number, their
colour white, speckled with reddish brown and pale blue.

Forehead and throat rich chestnut ; the remainder of the head, a band across the breast, and the whole of
the upper surface black with blue reflections ; tail very deeply forked, the two outer feathers extending far
beyond the others; a large white spot on the inner webs of all the feathers, except the two middle ones ; all
the under surface white tinged with reddish brown, which is deepest on the vent and under tail-coverts ; bill
and feet black.

The female has rather less of the rich chestnut on the forehead, the black is less brilliant, and the outer
tail-feathers much shorter than in the male.

The young is entirely destitute of the chestnut on the forehead, the throat is merely tinged with rufous ;
the band across the breast is but faintly indicated ; all the upper surface resembles that of the adult, but the
tints are much more dull; the wings are also shorter, and it is destitute of the long tail-feathers, which are
not acquired till the first moult.

Our Plate represents an adult and a young bird of the natural size.