Abstract
IN the tenth number of the Comptes Rendus for the present year, is a paper by M. Pouch et, on the Modifications of the Nests constructed by the common Swallow, (Hirundo urbica Linnæus,) in which he remarks that it is evident the mode of life of certain animals, far from being persistent and invariable, undergoes modifications under different terrestrial conditions, and that, in many instances, their habits are different from what they were in former ages. Spallanzani indeed remarks in one of his remarkable memoirs on the swallows, that the shape and structure of the nests of birds are interesting features in their history, and that each species constructs its habitation on a plan peculiar to itself, which never changes, and is continued from one generation to another. And this opinion is shared by many naturalists; observations, however, when sufficiently close and attentively made, show that it is erroneous. We do not indeed see any modifications of those of their habits which are associated with their biology, so that the arboreal species seek to form for themselves a subterranean nest, or rear their young ones in dwellings adherent to the coigns of our houses, but it nevertheless is ascertained that in a succession of years, each learns to improve the construction of his residence. Certain birds work up only the products of our own handiwork, and would necessarily employ natural substances if these were deficient. Thus, as may be seen in the museum of Rouen, the Loriot of Europe sometimes forms its nest with thread ends under the branches of trees, which cannot possibly be the natural method. For several centuries the common swallow has disported itself in our crowded cities, and with its friendly masonry attached itself to our houses. The chimney swallow, still more familiar and audacious, often builds in the smoky shafts of our domiciles, or even in the noisiest factories, undisturbed by the din or the fires or the movement around them. Such habits must form a strong contrast with those of their predecessors in times long gone by. When we ourselves wandered untutored savages in the prehistoric times, or when still later we constructed lacustrine towns, or megalithic monuments, the habits of the birds can scarcely have been identical with those of to-day, for such human edifices afforded little security or shade. They must then have built amongst rocks. Nearly the same remarks apply to the storks, which have not remained stationary, but have preferred to their less commodious dwellings those offered to them by man. These changes in the industry or the manners of birds are perhaps even more rapid than we might at first sight suppose; and M. Pouchet's observations have demonstrated to him that notable improvements have been adopted by swallows in their modification during the first half of the present century. Having directed a number to be collected for the purpose of having drawings made from them, M. Pouchet was astonished to find that they did not resemble those he had collected some forty years ago, and which were still preserved in the museum of Rouen. The present generation of swallows have notably improved on the architecture of their forefathers, amongst those still building in the arches and against the pillars of the churches. Some, however, still adhere to the old methods, or such nests may possibly have been old ones which have undergone reconstruction. In the streets, on the other hand, all the nests appeared to be constructed on the new method. And now for the differences observed. The old nests show, and all ancient writers as Vieillot, Montbrillard, Rennie, Deglaud, &c., describe the nest of the house-swallow as globular, or as forming a segment of a spheroid with a very small rounded opening, scarcely permitting the ingress and egress of the couple that inhabit it. The new nests, on the contrary, have the form of the quarter of a hollow semi-oval (le quart d'un demi-ovoide creux), with very elongated poles, and the three sectional surfaces of which adhere to the walls of edifices throughout their whole extent, with the exception of the upper one, where the orifice of the nest is situated; and this is no longer a round hole, but a very long transverse fissure formed below by an excavation of the border of the section, and above by the wall of the building to which the nest is attached. This opening has a length of nine or ten centimetres and a height of two centims. M. Pouchet considers this new form affords more room for the inmates and especially for the young which are not so crowded, whilst they can put out their heads for a mouthful of fresh air, and their presence does not interfere with the entrance and exit of the parents. Lastly, the new form protects the inhabitants of the nest better than the old one, from rain, cold, and foreign enemies.
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Modifications in the Constructions of the Nest of the Swallow . Nature 1, 580–581 (1870). https://doi.org/10.1038/001580b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/001580b0