Wheat-ears breed in old rabbit-burrows, in holes of cliffs, under old timber, and in other situations on the ground. They form a large nest, and have from six to eight light blue eggs. 149. _The REDBREAST_ (Motacilla rubecola) _is distinguished by the dusky olive colour of its plumage and its red breast. It is found in nearly every country of Europe._ This interesting little bird is by no means despicable as a songster, being equal or superior to the goldfinch in every particular except the sprightliness of its notes; and its song is more valuable, as it is occasionally heard even in winter and the earliest part of spring. So quick are its powers of imitation, that a young red-breast, educated under a very fine nightingale, which began already to be out of song, and was perfectly mute in less than a fortnight, sang three parts in four of the nightingale's notes. These birds are serviceable to mankind by the myriads of injurious insects which they devour. They form their nests in thickets or holes of old buildings; and have from five to seven eggs of dull white colour sprinkled with reddish spots. 150. _The SWALLOWS are a tribe of birds chiefly distinguished by their short and depressed bills, their long wings, and the tail being generally forked._ _Only four species are found in this country. These are all migratory. The common or CHIMNEY SWALLOW_ (Hirundo rustica) _usually appears about the middle of April, and departs about the end of October; the MARTIN_ (Hirundo urbica) _appears in the beginning of March, and leaves us about the middle of October; the SAND MARTIN_ (Hirundo riparia) _appears after the middle of March, and departs about the middle of September; and the SWIFT_ (Hirundo apus) _appears before the middle of May, and departs in the beginning of September._ All the English species of swallow skim along the air in pursuit of flies, gnats, and other insects; which, if it were not for the all-wise ordination of Providence, in directing their regulation by supplying food to these and other species of birds, would soon fill the atmosphere and destroy all our comfort. Hence (to say nothing worse of it) we see how injurious it is to destroy these birds, as is frequently the case, for mere amusement, and under an idle pretext, by many persons of improving their skill in shooting game. Chimney swallows are sold as food in the markets of France, Spain, and Italy. 151. _The ESCULENT SWALLOW_ (Hirundo esculenta) _is a very small bird, distinguished by being blackish above and whitish beneath, and having the tail tipped with white._ _It is found in Sumatra, Java, and some other islands in the Eastern seas._