11 MAY 1912, Page 19

A DEARTH OF SWALLOWS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SFECTATOR."]

SIR,—I have been an observer of hirundines in this parish- Tunstall—for many years. They were very plentiful here formerly. For the last four or five years they have become almost scarce. This year I have so far only seen two (swallows) which are apparently busy preparing for a nest in the church porch. A nest has been built there almost every season for quite forty-five years within my recollection, and on Sundays the birds often fly about in the church during service, where I have seen the "amorous chase " spoken of by Gilbert White. A bird-observing friend whose business takes him much about this county confirms my view that the species is much more rare now than in years gone by.—I am,