have built in the same spot for three or four years following. On the downs, swallows often accompany a horseman for many miles together, in quest of flies; flying very low, and watching attentively every step of the animal, which is a sure sign of approaching rain.—Wm. Hewett.
Note on certain Nests of the Swallow at Kelvedon. Last year a pair of swallows (Hirundo rustica) built their nest in an angle of the external walls of my house, about eight inches below the eaves, which, the house being slated, project a good deal: and this year a pair built their nest in the open roof of an out-house, on an angle formed by the rafters. In both cases the nest was quite open, and nearly flat. The young birds returned to the nest to roost, for several nights after they had taken wing; and occasionally during the day, when the old birds continued to feed them.—John Atkinson; Layer Marney Rectory, Kelvedon, August, 1843.
Note on the Nesting-place of the Swallow. In accordance with Mr. Hepburn's suggestion (Zool. 147), I have paid some attention to the places used by the swallow for nidification. They are not, in this locality, so numerous a species as either the martin or sand-martin, and this must account for the meagerness of my communication. A pair has this year nested in a chimney of my own habitation. I have strong ground for believing that the chimney of a house in the village of Hulton, as also one at Eyemouth (on the Berwickshire coast), have been used for the same purpose. I should add that persons resident in the neighbourhood, of whom I have made enquiries on the subject, appeared to be impressed with the belief that the swallow generally, or at least commonly, builds in a chimney. By one of them I was told that swallows' nests might be seen on the cliffs overhanging the Whitadder; but on examining the place mentioned, I found, as I expected, multitudes of martins' nests, but could not detect one swallow among the occupiers of those nests.[1] On Monday last, September 11,1 discovered a swallow's nest under the suspension bridge over the Tweed at Paxton: it was attached to one of the transverse beams on which is laid the platform sustaining the carriage-way of the bridge. Unlike the martins', it was open all round, except at the part which touched the beam; and was perhaps an inch and a half or two inches distant from the platform. It was still occupied, as I think were one or two others on other parts of the bridge; and I have little doubt that earlier in the season several might have been found there.—J.C. Atkinson; Hulton, September 15, 1843.
Note on the Migration of Swifts. On the 30th of August, as I was returning by the "Sea-braes" to Eyemouth from St. Abb's head, I saw three or four companies of swifts evidently winging their way southwards. The first lot consisted of four or five individuals; the next of twelve or fifteen. One company loitered a little over a field of beans, but none of them remained long in sight. For the most part, their line oi flight seemed to lie along the edge of the coast; for few of them ranged to any distance either seaward or inland. On the 31st one was seen, and on September 3rd I saw two over Eyemouth, and I think one or two others, at a short distance over the sea. Since the last date I have not seen any.—Id.
Note on the migration of Martins and Sand-martins. At St. Abb's head, August
- ↑ This is not the colony already mentioned in these pages (Zool. 246), but a far more numerous one: the rocks, too, on which the nests are placed are much loftier, and the nests themselves placed at a much greater height above the river.
