The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-10-22
ORTHODOXY.
THE SWALLOW FAMILY Hirund0.)
BY AGRICOLA.

BlruS, says an OfnlunOlOSlSC, Hfl,
be said to constitute the poetry Of ANNA
ted nature" They live in an element owe
which man has very limited dominion
their graceful forms and motions, thei
powers Of rapid flight, and the free ant
happy life they apparently lead, call fortl
the most pleasing ideas. Without any
the swallows which pay their annual visit
miration than, perhaps, any other order o.
birds. They do 10 harm to man, eithe
to the blossoms OF the fruit, nor are they
suspected by the most preiudiced, but theil
services are gratefully acknowledged; they
attach themselves to him with confidence
and love to be in the neighborhood of his
dwelling. All their movements and pro-
ceedings are entertaining, and the summer
evening walk, at the close of a sultry day
is rendered much more delightful by these
welcome visitors. While enjoying nature
in her most pleasant hour, the swallow
skins the still waters, just touching il
with the tip of its wings, or chances rapidly
past us in the fragrant lane; and when we
leave the meadows, and enter the village as
evening closes, the chimney swallow sports
in bold and rapid flights around the old
chuch tower or some neighboring chimney,
from time to time uttering his CHEEKY, but
shrill notes.
Now to my subject; as the Hirundo EN-
brace such large genus, | will be obliged
to treat of but one in this article, and as
recently observed the arrival of the martin
or window swallow, (as it is called in
Europe.)
The martin is found in greater numbers
than either of its congeners. 1t is smaller
than the house swallow and differs from it
in color. The best known is the blue mar
tin Up. purpurea, Boie,) which is generally
distributed throughout the United States;
the length is about . inches by abont 1G
in entent of wings, the bill along the cape
inch; the general color is CLASSY steel
blue, with purple and violet reflections
the female and young are less brilliant, and
pale brownish below, with darker and
blush blotches; the closed wings are
rather longer than the tail, and the tarsi
and toes are uncovered.
It's flight has neither the boldncss nor
rapidty of the swallow, both its wings and
tail being shorter, but it's movements are
easy and graceful, as with expanded wings
it pursues its prey, neither soaring to a
great height, nor skimming the surname as
the swallow does. But they are very ex-
pert in catching their insect prey, and in
bathing and drinking while on the wing,
they have no rival, aerial evolutions vex
and annoy Il hungry bird hawk, or cunning
owl; they are bold little fellows, and at
tack, without the least hesitation, other
birds Of larger size than themselves, de-
pending, in case they are not to be victors,
upon their superior agility of wing. |
have often been amused to see them bat
hn l1uo-hirlc hot nov, -
rived first, taken possession of their house;
and poor little blue-birds, although they
fought long and hard, had to succomb to
their more agile, and powerful adversaries.
From their attacking cats, dogs, and all
other marauders infesting the poultry yard,
they have become general favorites with
all poultry raisers, and at nearly every
house you may see their neat little boxes
placed in mid air, on long poe, la the
hanging gardens of Babylon, where they
raise their young. and i, he Autumn teach
them to fly. preparatory to their exodus
These harbingers of Spring resemble, in
some ways, the rocks of England, for
when once they have taken possession of a
box, they return to it year after year, and
after tearing out all old OF displaced sticks
or straws in their nests, rebuild them to
rear another brood.
They have a multitude of friends, the
sturdy yocman, after toiling all day in the
whitening sun, delights to sit in the cool of
the evening and listen to their merry twit-
ter; and the poor Indian who was van
quished by his pale brother, when he be-
holds them Swimming the air in pursuit of
flies, in all the wantonness of freedom and
grace, thinks of the time when he too was
free and could hunt the wild buffalo on his
hunting grounds, the praries of the far
West, the home of his forefathers.
When Spring first opens we hear them
twittering their carols at eve, in the sum-
mer we hear them, but now we hear it no
more, for the rude boreas, with his icy
wreath, has warned them of the approach
of winter, and they have sought the chimes
where the golden orange and the high pal
metto trees will insure them of "A warm
retreat until Spring, with its balmy
zephyrs, again make the dormant buds
and perfumes the air with the rich aroma
of the apple and peach blossoms. Then
the cry from many a young throat will
be: "The swallows are here ~ "The
swallows are here"' "Spring's GOMEZ