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two months after it had been made prisoner and fastened to a perch
outside the forester's lodge. This Uhu will live for many years in
confinement, but seldom become, really tame; the African species is
perhaps an exception to this rule, for we saw one of these birds in
Stockholm that not only allowed itself to be stroked or playfully
seized by the beak, but would come to its master when called by
name. "When wounded," Audubon informs us, "the Uhu exhibits a
revengeful tenacity of spirit, scarcely surpassed by the boldest of the
Eagle tribe; disdaining to scramble away, it faces its enemy with
undaunted courage; protruding its powerful talons, and snapping its
beak, it will defend itself to the uttermost against both man and
dog."
The Malay peninsula and India proper are inhabited by a group of
Owls, in many respects resembling the species above described, but
with this difference, that they subsist principally upon fish, crabs,
and other inhabitants of the water. All these birds are large, and
have well-developed tufts around the ears; the beak is powerful and
of moderate size, while the upper mandible is compressed, and
terminates in a hook; the feet are long, and the toes bare. The
plumage is not thick, the ears are small, and the wings, in which the
fourth quill is longer than the rest, do not extend as far as the tip of
the tail.
THE BROWN FISH OWL.
The BROWN FISH OWL (Ketupa Ceylonensis), called by the Cingalese
"Utum," is from twenty-one to twenty-three inches in breadth, the
tail measures eight, and the wing sixteen inches. The upper part of
the body is of a deep reddish tinge, the feathers upon the head and
nape being streaked with dark brown, while those upon the back
and upper wing-covers are marked with brown and reddish yellow.
The quills are reddish or yellowish brown, spotted with white upon
the inner web; the tail is brown, tipped and streaked with a paler
shade; the face is brown, and its bristle-like feathers ornamented
with white and black; the chin and breast are white, partially striped
with brown. The rest of the plumage is reddish brown, streaked with
numerous dark lines. The eye is bright yellow, the eyelids purplish
brown, the foot and beak pale greyish yellow.
THE VIRGINIAN UHU (Bubo Virginianus).
The Fish Owl is found extensively throughout the whole of India and
Ceylon, and is also met with in Burmah and China. In the Malay
peninsula it is replaced by a very similar species. Bernstein tells us
that the Fish Owl frequents woodland districts, and that, though it
often lives in the immediate neighbourhood of villages, never
actually takes shelter about the houses. Jerdon informs us that he
usually saw it perching close to lakes, ponds, or rivers, watching for
the fish upon which it mainly subsists. It also devours lizards and
snakes, as well as rats and mice. Like most of its family this bird
remains concealed during the day, and only issues forth at night to
obtain its prey: this diurnal seclusion does not, however, arise from
the fact that it cannot bear the light, for experiments have proved
that it sees any object readily, even when exposed to the full glare of
the sun. The voice of the Fish Owl is constantly heard throughout
moonlight nights, and may be represented by the syllables "Hu, hu,
hu, hi." A nest found by Bernstein was nothing more than a
depression in some moss and lichens that had overgrown the trunk
of an old tree; it contained but one round, smooth-shelled, white
egg.
THE WOODLAND OWL.
The WOODLAND OWL (Otus sylvestris) in many respects resembles the
Uhu, from which it is distinguished by the slenderness of its shape,
its long wings, in which the second quill exceeds the rest in length,
its short feet, and a large tuft behind each very highly developed ear.
The whole body is of a dull reddish yellow, spotted and marked with
greyish brown above, and with dark brown beneath. The ear is
whitish within, and black on its exterior; the face is greyish yellow.
The length of this bird is from thirteen to fourteen inches, its breadth
from thirty-five to thirty-eight inches.
THE MARSH OWL (Otus brachyotus).
The Woodland Owl abounds throughout Europe and Asia, and is
particularly numerous in the central portions of both continents. In
North America it is replaced by a very similar species, which, until
recently, was supposed to be identical with that inhabiting the
Eastern hemisphere. These birds, as their name indicates, dwell in
and around woods and forests, in the recesses of which they remain
during the day, only flying by night in quest of food. In their habits
they resemble the Uhu, but are less cruel and violent in their
disposition. During the breeding season they live in pairs, after that
period they assemble in flocks, and sweep together over the face of
the country, but never actually migrate. So fearless is this bird, that
should a man approach, it not only remains quietly upon its perch,
but in some instances will not stir until shaken from the branches.
Shrew mice, field mice, and small birds constitute its principal food,
and we must therefore pronounce it to be a benefactor both to the
gardener and the farmer. The Woodland Owl rarely constructs its
own nest, but takes possession of one that has been deserted by
some Crow or squirrel. The four white eggs that constitute its brood
are laid about March. The female continues sitting for three weeks,
and is, meanwhile, fed and carefully tended by her mate, who
remains almost constantly by her side, and expresses his affection
by frequently uttering loud cries, and occasionally beating the air
violently with his wings. The nestlings require an unusual amount of
food, for which they clamour incessantly; if taken before they are
fledged they may be readily tamed.
THE MARSH OWL.
The MARSH OWL (Otus brachyotus) is closely allied to the bird above
described, and is found in all parts of the globe, with the exception
of New Holland. The head of this species is smaller than that of the
Woodland Owl, and its long wings reach far beyond the tail. The
tufts above the ears are composed of from two to four feathers, and
the plumage is principally of a bright but pale yellow; the feathers
upon the head and lower parts of the body have black shafts, whilst
those of the wing-covers are yellow upon the outer and black upon
the inner web; they are likewise tipped with black. The quills of the
tail are striped with greyish brown. The radiating feathers upon the
face are whitish grey, and the eyes light yellow. The young are
somewhat darker than their parents. The length of this bird is from
fourteen to sixteen inches, and its breadth from forty to forty-two
inches.
The peculiar characteristics of the Marsh Owls are their preference
for fens and bogs, and their practice of wandering from one place to
another; they frequent all the northern parts of the globe, and are
by no means rare in any of the countries in which they are seen; in
the more southern latitudes they appear about October, and leave
again in the month of March. At night they fly softly and slowly in
search of mice, lemmings, and insects, upon which they chiefly
subsist; and usually pass the day amidst the grass and reeds that
overspread their favourite haunts; if disturbed they crouch to the
ground, and allow the enemy to approach quite close, then, rising
suddenly, they hover in the air, or soar to a very considerable height.
Their voice is gentle, and their anger expressed by snapping
violently with the beak. The nest is extremely simple in its
construction, and invariably placed upon the ground. The female lays
three or four white eggs about May.
The DWARF EARED OWLS (Scops) are recognisable by their large
heads, long wings, in which the second quill exceeds the rest in
length, short slightly-rounded tail, high sparsely-feathered tarsi, and
bare toes. The beak is powerful and much curved, the plumage
smooth and variegated, the ear-tufts short, and the feathers that
surround the aperture of the ear but slightly developed. The
members of this group inhabit Southern Europe, Asia, Africa, and
America. From these we shall select the European species as a type
of the rest.
THE DWARF EARED OWL.
The DWARF EARED OWL (Ephialtes Scops) is from six to seven inches
long, and from eighteen to nineteen broad; the wing measures five
inches and two-thirds, and the tail about two and a half. The
plumage is very striking; the upper part of the body is reddish
brown, shaded with grey, and streaked and spotted with black; upon
the wings the spots are white, the region of the shoulder is dashed
with red; the under side is a mixture of brownish red and greyish
white. The beak and feet are blueish grey, and the eyes light
brimstone yellow. The sexes closely resemble each other in plumage,
but that of the young is more sombre and less variegated.
The Dwarf Eared Owls are numerous in Southern Europe, and at
certain seasons are met with in its more central portions, where they
arrive early in the year, and leave again for warmer latitudes about
September. Their migrations are performed in large flocks, and often
extend as far as the interior of Africa. They generally resort to fields,
vineyards, and gardens, exhibit no fear of man, and may frequently
be seen perching upon the trees that grow near crowded
thoroughfares. During the day they conceal themselves under the
vines, or amongst the branches of trees, the stems of which they so
much resemble in colour as to be in but little danger of detection so
long as they remain quiet. It is not until evening has fully set in that
they sally out in quest of food, and hover, with something of the
movement of a Falcon, close to the surface of the ground, in quest
of mice and similar fare. The nest is built in a hollow tree, and the
eggs, three or four in number, are laid in the autumn.
The NOCTURNAL OWLS are distinguished from those above
described, by their large round heads, broad discs of feathers upon
the face, and wide apertures to the ears, which are unprovided with
tufts. The wing is usually rounded, and the tail and foot vary
considerably both as to size and form. The plumage is either very
thick, or lies close and compact. All the members of this group sleep
or doze away the whole day, and only sally forth when the sun's last
rays have disappeared, for in its light they are perfectly helpless and
almost blind.
THE TREE OWL.
The TREE OWL (Syrnium aluco) is recognisable by its large head and
comparatively small ear-apertures, as well as by its thick neck,
slender body, short tail, thickly-feathered feet, and short toes. Deep
grey or reddish brown predominates in the coloration of the
plumage; the back being, as is usually the case, darker than the
under parts of the body; the wings are regularly marked with light
spots; the nape, region of the ear, face, beak, and tips of the toes
are grey; the eye dark brown, and the skin that surrounds it of a
flesh-colour.
This species is frequently met with throughout the whole of Europe,
if we except its extreme north and south—it is but rarely seen in
Spain, and never, we believe, in some parts of Russia. Woodland
districts are its usual haunts, but it also occasionally seeks shelter
among ruins, or even in nooks of houses. During the summer it
passes the day perched close to the trunk of some old hollow tree,
in the interior of which it hides itself during the winter.
The movements of this species are extremely slow and heavy, and it
rarely rises above a few feet from the ground whilst seeking for the
mice upon which it subsists. It also devours noxious insects of
various kinds in considerable quantities, and thus renders important
service both to the gardener and farmer. Martin mentions his having
found no fewer than seventy-five large caterpillars in the stomach of
a Tree Owl that he had killed immediately after it had finished this
very substantial repast. In disposition it is dull, and more
uninteresting than almost any other bird with which we are
acquainted. Its cry is a loud, resonant "Hu, hu, hu," and often rings
through the darkness like a burst of demoniacal laughter. The
breeding season commences about April or May, and during that
period these, at other times apathetic sluggards, seem roused to
something like animation, and make the woods re-echo with their
discordant note. The eggs, two or three in number, are laid in
cavities of trees, or sometimes in roofs or chimneys, upon a slight
bed of hair, wool, or moss; the deserted nest of some other bird is
also frequently employed for the reception of the young family. The
eggs are oval, rough-shelled, and white. The female alone broods,
and is meanwhile fed with great tenderness by her mate. Both
parents are much attached to their offspring. These birds may be
readily tamed, and soon become accustomed to those that feed
them. Gadamer tells us that a Tree Owl in his possession used to
come out every evening and stand before the open stove, stretching
out its neck with every demonstration of keen enjoyment.
THE HAIRY-FOOTED OWL.
The HAIRY-FOOTED OWL (Nyctale dasypus) is distinguished by its
unusually broad head, large ear-apertures, and well-developed facial
discs; the wings are rounded, the tail of moderate size, and the
short and rounded tarsi, covered with long, thickly-set feathers; the
plumage is soft and silky. The upper parts of the body are mouse
grey, with large white spots; and the under side white, distinctly
streaked with greyish brown. The wings and tail-feathers are mouse
grey, with irregular white stripes; the long feathers about the face
whitish grey, mottled with black; the beak is greyish yellow, and the
eye bright gold colour. The young are of an uniform reddish brown,
with white spots upon the wings and tail. The length of this species
is from nine to ten, its breadth from twenty-one to twenty-three
inches, and the tail about six or seven inches.
THE TREE OWL (Syrnium aluco).
These birds inhabit Central Europe, and are likewise found in the
northern parts of Asia and America; they are never seen in any large
numbers, and are reckoned among the greatest rarities in our
aviaries, owing to the difficulties attendant on their capture, for their
retreats are usually in the deepest recesses of woods and forests,
which they seldom quit. A hollow tree is the favourite resort of a pair
of Hairy-footed Owls, and there they remain during the whole day,
but at night fly away together in search of food. They appear
carefully to avoid the light of the sun, and are extremely timorous.
Should they be molested by the sportsman, they at once lie down
close behind the branch in which they are perched, and thus
effectually put themselves out of both sight and gunshot. Their voice
somewhat resembles the syllables "Wi, wi, wi," and is not unlike the
whimper of a child; this cry is heard principally in the evening and at
early morning. The eggs, three or four in number, are deposited
about April or May in a hollow tree, and are similar to those of the
Stone Owl. Mice, insects, small birds, and bats constitute their
principal food; the latter, according to our own observations, are
caught on the wing. As in the case of the Uhu, all the small birds
seem to delight in mobbing and harrying this dreaded foe, whenever
they discover it sitting in the day-time perched and perfectly
helpless. The young are destroyed in great numbers by the larger
species of Owls and other enemies. A Hairy-footed Owl kept in Dr.
Brehm's house soon became extremely tame, and though at first it
invariably took refuge in the darkest corner of its dark cage, it soon
lost this habit, and hopped about even during the day; it took its
food from the hand of its master, and carried it to a quiet nook to be
devoured, concealing the prize with its feathers whilst it ate. It
seldom drank, but bathed almost daily when the weather was warm;
if cold, it crouched upon the ground, drawing up its feet under its
body. Its voice sounded occasionally somewhat like the low bark of a
dog.
THE BARN OWL (Strix flammea).
The VEILED OWLS (Strix) constitute one of the most remarkable
groups of this very important family. Their body is slender, the neck
long, the head large and broad, the wings of great size, and the tail
of medium length, the legs are high, the plumage silky and very
varied in its coloration. The beak is elongate, straight at the base,
hooked at its tip, and the under mandible slightly indented. The eye
is small and more arched than that of other species; the ear appears
unusually large, owing to the long feathers by which it is encircled,
and which form a heart-shaped frill around the face, the tarsi are but
slightly plumed, and are covered upon the lower portion with fine
bristles; the toes are almost bare, the claws long, thin, and pointed.
The Veiled Owls are found in all parts of the world, dwelling in
populous districts, in and around villages, and when these are not to
be found, seeking shelter in hollow trees; they especially delight in
old ruins, and are constantly met with in church steeples, ancient
castles, and dismantled towers, as such buildings afford them safe
hiding-places until the evening closes in. All the members of this
group so closely resemble each other that they might readily be
mistaken for one and the same species, and all are equally
remarkable for the beauty of their plumage.
KIRCHHOFF'S VEILED OWL.
KIRCHHOFF'S VEILED OWL (Strix Kirchhoffii), discovered by Dr. Brehm
whilst in Spain, and called after one of his friends, is so extremely
beautiful as to render an adequate description almost impossible.
The upper portion of its plumage is of a pretty reddish yellow,
mottled with grey upon the shoulders and middle of the back, and
delicately spotted with black and white; the under parts are of
dazzling whiteness, and as glossy as the softest satin. The discs of
feathers upon the face are spotted and edged with reddish brown.
THE BARN OWL.
The FLAME OWL, or BARN OWL (Strix flammea), is from twelve to
fourteen inches long, and from thirty-six to thirty-nine inches broad;
the wing measures about eleven, and the tail from four and a half to
five inches. The upper part of the plumage is dark grey; the nape
and back of the head reddish yellow, delicately marked with tiny
black and white streaks; the under side deep reddish yellow, spotted
with brown and white; the long feathers upon the face are either
entirely of uniform reddish white, or become gradually lighter
towards the tip; the quills are rust red upon the inner and whitish
upon the outer web, spotted and striped three or four times with
dark brown; the reddish yellow tail-feathers are striped with black,
and have a broad dark grey patch, mottled with white at the
extremity; the beak and cere are reddish white; the bare portions of
the foot blueish grey, and the eye dark brown. The female is of a
somewhat duskier hue than her mate.
Old ruins of every description are constantly frequented by these
birds, such lofty mountain ranges as are barren of trees they
carefully avoid, but in every other situation are more or less
frequently met with. The Barn Owls are stationary in their habits,
and often remain for years in the same locality, spending the day in
some retired nook, and sallying forth at night in quest of prey. Their
sleep is extremely light, and, if disturbed, their contortions are
amusing to behold, as they rock themselves from side to side upon
their legs, and peer blindly at the intruder, expressing their
uneasiness by a variety of the most extraordinary grimaces which we
can conceive even an Owl's face to be capable of. If very hard
pressed they seek safety in flight, and thus prove that they are not
so completely blinded by the light as is popularly supposed. When
evening sets in their active life commences, and they may then be
constantly seen and heard, sweeping slowly about, and uttering their
dismal cry at short intervals, as they flit over the ground, or settle
for a short time upon the house-tops. Rats, mice, moles, and small
birds, as well as the larger kinds of insects, constitute their principal
food. They have frequently been accused of attacking Pigeons, but
this we believe is not the case.
So adroit and rapid are the manœuvres of these Owls when hungry,
that their victims have but small chance of escape, and we would
therefore warn such of our readers as are tempted to try the effect
of domestication upon them to keep a very sharp watch indeed upon
any other feathered pets that may be in the same house. A friend of
Dr. Brehm's, after endeavouring to tame one of these birds for about
a week, ventured on the strength of its good training to leave it for
one single minute in his dark room, while he hurried away to obtain
a light; when, lo, upon his return he beheld the Owl behind a stove,
quietly finishing the remains of his pet Linnet, which it had seized,
killed, and more than half devoured in that short space of time! This
same Owl would often eat as many as fifteen mice during the day. In
Spain a strange idea is very prevalent respecting this species, it
being supposed to enter the churches and consume the olive oil
employed in the lamps by which those buildings are lighted. For our
own part we believe that such a charge is quite unfounded, and that
the Owl in this case is no more guilty of the offence, than the
terrible cat facetiously described as working so much havoc in
English kitchens. The Spaniards make use of the body of this bird
extensively in medicine, after it has been soaked in oil. According to
Pennant "the Monguls of Tartary pay the Barn Owls almost divine
honours, because they attribute to one of them the preservation of
Ghenghis Khan, the founder of their empire. That prince, with his
small army, happened to be surprised and put to flight by his
enemies; when forced to conceal himself in a little coppice, an Owl
settled on the bush under which he was hid, and induced his
pursuers not to search there, as they thought it impossible that any
man could be concealed in a place where that bird would perch."
It was formerly supposed that the Barn Owls laid their eggs about
April, but recent observations have proved this statement to be
incorrect. The breeding season really commences in the autumn,
and during this period the happy pair testify their love and devotion
to each other by loud and constant cries, as they fly sportively
together around and over the towers and turrets near which they
have taken up their abode—nest there is none, the young family
being reared at the bottom of a hole, or in some retired corner. The
nestlings are reared upon mice, and are most carefully tended by
their parents, who nurse their progeny so devotedly that they have
frequently been known to carry food to them for weeks or even
months, after they have been captured and shut up in a cage.
THE GAPERS (Hiantes).
The order to which we have given the name of GAPERS (Hiantes)
includes a considerable number of families, which, though differing
considerably from each other in some trifling respects, are related in
many essential particulars. Nearly all these birds are of small or
moderate size, and are recognisable by their slender though
powerful body, short neck, large and remarkably flat head, long
narrow-pointed wings, and short feeble legs. Their beak is short,
broad, and flat, tapering towards its extremity, and although
somewhat varied in its formation, is always surrounded by a stiff,
bristle-like growth; the gape is so unusually wide as to constitute the
most remarkable feature they all have in common. The plumage is
sometimes harsh and dusky, and sometimes soft, glossy, and
brilliantly coloured. The birds belonging to this order principally
frequent the warmest portions of our globe, and are rarely met with
in high northern latitudes, as the latter afford them but a very scanty
supply of the insects upon which they mainly subsist. Heat is
essential to the abundance of their favourite food, and it is for this
reason that such species as inhabit the temperate zones are
compelled to quit their native lands for sunnier climes as winter
approaches. Some occupy forests; others mountains, valleys, or
open plains; and many, when about to make their nests, seek the
immediate vicinity of man. All the members of this order are
possessed of extraordinary powers of flight, and pass the greater
part of their lives in pursuing their tiny prey through the realms of
air. Upon the ground they move awkwardly and slowly, and are
usually scarcely more adroit in climbing among the branches of
trees. The sight of all these birds is excellent, but their other senses
appear to be only slightly developed. In temper they are social,
brisk, and restless, and exhibit much tenderness towards their
young. Their intelligence, however, is by no means great; indeed,
some species are unquestionably extremely deficient in this respect.
So very various is the formation of the nests, and the number and
appearance of the eggs of the different families into which this order
is divisible, that we shall not attempt to mention them here, but will
describe them with the group or species to which they belong.
SWALLOWS.
The SWALLOWS (Hirundines) constitute the foremost family of this
order, and are readily distinguished by their small, delicately-formed
body, broad breast, short neck, and flat head; their beak is short,
flat, broad at its base, and terminates in a slight hook; the gape is
so wide as to extend as far as the eyes. These birds have no crop;
their broad, flat, horny tongue is sharp at its edge, divided at its tip,
and furnished with small tooth-like appendages towards its base.
The feet are broad and feeble, the toes, three of which are placed in
front, are very weak and the claws are slender. The wing is long,
narrow, composed of nine quills, and sharply-pointed at its
extremity; the tail forked, containing twelve feathers; those at the
exterior often far exceeding the centre ones in length. The plumage
is composed of small compact feathers, and frequently exhibits
considerable metallic lustre. Both sexes are alike in colour, but the
young differ somewhat from the adult birds.
Swallows are found throughout every division of both hemispheres,
and occupying every latitude, but they rarely breed and are far from
numerous within the limits of the Polar regions. Such species as
inhabit the torrid zones do not migrate, whilst those that visit
comparatively cold countries go to warmer climes as winter
approaches, quitting and returning to their native lands at the
appointed period with such extraordinary regularity that the time of
their appearance or departure may be calculated almost to a day. As
regards their intelligence, these birds are far superior to most other
members of the order. Their pleasing twitter may almost be termed
a song, and their flight is distinguishable by an ease and rapidity
that has rendered it proverbial. All Swallows bathe and drink whilst
upon the wing. They subsist upon insect diet, which they obtain by
darting upon their tiny victims with marvellous velocity as they skim
through the air, and swallow them entire. They consume beetles and
flies in enormous quantities, for their appetite is insatiable; but bees
and wasps, or any insect armed with a sting, they never touch, as
their wonderful instinct renders them fully aware that such morsels
are not to be snapped at with impunity. Naumann mentions that
having upon one occasion put a wasp into the beak of a young
Swallow, the bird died almost immediately from the effects of the
stinging it received whilst swallowing the insect. Some species form
most artistic abodes with bits of clay consolidated by means of the
glutinous spittle with which the members of this family are provided;
whilst others excavate deep holes for the reception of the young, the
same nests being employed for many successive years. The females
alone brood, and lay from two to six eggs.
THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW (Cecropis-Hirundo-rustica).
The TRUE SWALLOWS (Cecropis) are characterised by their slender
and powerful body, wide flat head, broad but very slightly curved
beak, long wings, extending beyond the deeply-forked tail, moderate
sized foot, and lax plumage, which upon the upper parts gleams
more or less with metallic lustre.
THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW.
The CHIMNEY SWALLOW (Cecropis-Hirundo-rustica) is seven inches long
and twelve broad, the wing measures four and a half and the tail
about three inches. The upper part of the plumage is glossy blueish
black; the brow and throat are chestnut brown, a broad line upon
the head black, and the other parts of the body reddish yellow. The
five outer feathers of the tail are adorned with round white spots
upon the inner web. The female is not quite so dark as her mate,
and the young are still paler. This species breeds throughout the
whole continent of Europe, if we except its extreme north. In the
northern parts of Asia and Africa it is replaced by a very similar
species—the RUST-RED SWALLOW (Cecropis cahirica, or Cecropis
Boissoneauti), which is very numerous in Egypt. The NORTH AMERICAN
HOUSE SWALLOW (Cecropis Americana), the SOUTH AMERICAN RED
SWALLOW (Cecropis rufa), and the Cecropis neoxena are also very
nearly allied species, but somewhat less in size than their European
relative.
We are desirous our readers should fully understand that the
Chimney Swallow is essentially a native of Europe, and that when it
wanders to warmer regions it does not "homeward fly," but exactly
the contrary, being then compelled, by reason of the approach of
winter, to leave its native land "in distant climes to roam," until such
time as the breath of spring has caused the snow and frost
completely to disappear, and the leaves have again burst forth upon
the trees. When these migrations are about to commence, the
Swallows assemble in very large flocks, which congregate upon the
trees or houses, and keep up such an incessant twitter and
commotion as would lead an observer to suppose that they are
discussing the important journey they are about to undertake. The
Swallows usually leave Europe about September or October;
according to our own observation, they often travel as far south as
eleven degrees north latitude, and are constant winter guests in
India and Ceylon; by the end of April, however, they are with us
again, and have either sought out their old nests or chosen a proper
spot on which to build. For this purpose, they generally select such
districts as are in the vicinity of water; and, "although the Chimney
Swallow has received its most general name from the somewhat
peculiar position in which it frequently builds its nest, it by no means
confines itself to chimneys, but builds readily in almost any suitably-
sheltered position. Thus, the disused shafts of mines and the sides
of old wells are sometimes resorted to. Occasionally it will build in
the roof of a barn or shed, attaching its nest to the rafters; or in a
garret or passage to which it finds easy access. In almost all cases it
selects a point where some projection from the wall, 'some coign of
vantage ground,' forms a buttress on which its nest may be
supported. The nest is constructed principally of mud or soft earth,
collected in small pellets from the edges of ponds and other wet
places; these are carried home in the bird's bill, and plastered on to
the spot selected for the nest; fresh pellets are then brought and
added, together with numerous straws and leaves of grasses, until
the whole is gradually moulded into the form of an open saucer,
attached by one side to the wall of the chimney or other place of
retreat. A lining of feathers is then put into the nest, and upon these
the eggs are laid." Such of these nests as are well sheltered from the
wind and rain are often employed for many years, and that, not
merely by the original builders, but by successive generations; any
little repairs required being made from time to time by the
occupants.
The Chimney Swallow, though by no means a powerful or hardy
bird, possesses such an amount of life and spirit as is seldom met
with in any other members of the feathered race, and which no
inclemencies of weather or scarcity of food can entirely quell. Its
appearance is extremely trim, and its disposition so brisk and lively
that it has ever been an especial favourite. Morning has scarcely
dawned before it is on the alert, and occupied in twittering its
summons to the rest of the world to be up and about their work. Its
voice can boast no real music, but its notes are so sprightly, and so
evidently the outpouring of the bird's own joyous sensations, as it
turns its breast in all directions, flaps its wings, and indulges in a
variety of animated gestures, that it cannot fail to please the hearer,
and impart an additional charm to the beauties of the first hours of a
bright early summer's day.
The flight of this species is peculiarly light and graceful, and very far
superior to its movements upon the ground, over which it crawls
with an awkward and helpless step, its little feet appearing quite
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