SWALLOWS IN FURNISHED LODGINGS.
A pair of swallows built their nest, composed chiefly of clay, in the corner of an out-house. Owing to the extreme heat and dryness of the weather the nest lost its moisture, shrank, and was splintered into several pieces, the half-fledged brood of four being thrown to the ground. They were found huddled together amongst the ruins, no doubt thinking, like chickens contemplating their broken egg-shells, that it was very extraordinary. In the hope that, if suitable accommodation was provided, the parents would again feed and tend their young, I fixed a small wooden box by means of a few nails against the wall exactly where the nest had been, first transferring into it the lining of the latter, and depositing within the young swallows. In half an hour the old birds, who had been flying about in a state of great excitement, and watching the proceedings, took food to their young family, and continued to do so day after day, quite recognizing the box as their new home. I used daily to unfix it, and look in to see how my young friends were progressing. This I did during the parents' absence, putting the box back before their return. One day, however, they caught me with the box in my hand. I of course replaced it at once, and withdrew. When I next looked, a few hours afterward, I found that the birds had procured some moist clay, and so buttressed the box against the wall that it could not be dislodged without first breaking the clay. Being thus checkmated, I was compelled to wait until the young birds were able to leave the home I had provided for them.