V RAPID SWALLOW.
A very accurate diary has been kept for several years
of the ways of the pair or pairs of swallows that have nested under the eaves of a particular cottage. The distinguishing, mark of their behaviour this year was the speed with which one pair got to work after arrival. They were first seen on April 16th, a day later than last year. The nest was begun almost at once, and the young were hatched out on the morning of May 10th, just twenty-four days after the birds , were first seen, or indeed any swallows seen in that neighbour- hood. The .speed of production must be almost a best in the records, though last year was an annus mirabilis in, the breeding of most birds, from swallows to pheasants. A, pair of swallows on this same cottage then hatched out four successive and successful families.
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