. A dictionary of birds . ldt. SWALLOW ( Swalewe, Icel. Svala, Dutch Zicalmv, ), the bird which of all others is recognized as the harbingerof summer in the northern hemisphere; for,though some differences, varying accordingto the meridian, are usually presented bythe birds which have their home in Europe,in northern Asia and in North Americarespectively, it is difficult to allow to them aspecific value; and consequently a zoologistof wide views, while not overlooking thislocal variation, will regard the Swallow ofall these tracts as forming a single species,the Hirundo rusti
. A dictionary of birds . ldt. SWALLOW ( Swalewe, Icel. Svala, Dutch Zicalmv, ), the bird which of all others is recognized as the harbingerof summer in the northern hemisphere; for,though some differences, varying accordingto the meridian, are usually presented bythe birds which have their home in Europe,in northern Asia and in North Americarespectively, it is difficult to allow to them aspecific value; and consequently a zoologistof wide views, while not overlooking thislocal variation, will regard the Swallow ofall these tracts as forming a single species,the Hirundo rustica of Linnauis.^ Keturning, Swallow. (After Swainson.) n i i ■ i j. -i. i ^ usually already paired, to its summer-haunts, ^ It lias been already noticed that recent American authors would apply tothe Swallow the generic term of Chclklon, generally accepted for the (p. 536), and to the latter Hirundo. Herein they are technicallyincorrect, for one of the lirst principles of zoological nomenclature has always. SWALLOW 927 after its winter-sojourn in southern lands, and generally reachingEngland about the first week in April, it at once repairs to its oldquarters, nearly always around the abodes of men; and about amonth later, the site of the nest is chosen, resort being had in mostcases to the very spot that has formerly served the same purpose—the old structure, if still remaining, being restored and trustful is the bird, that it commonly establishes itself in any ofmens Avorks that will supply the necessary accommodation, and ashed, a barn or any building with an open roof, a chimney^ thataffords a support for the nest, or even the room of an inhabitedhouse—if chance should give free access thereto—to say nothing ofextraordinary positions, may be the place of its choice. Where-soever placed, the nest is formed of small lumps of moist earth,which, carried to the spot in the birds bill, are duly arranged andmodelled, with the aid of short straw
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Keywords: ., bookauthorlyde, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds
