CHAP. 34. (24.)—SWALLOWS.
The swallow, the only bird that is carnivorous among those
which have not hooked talons, takes its departure also during
the winter months; but it only goes to neighbouring countries,
seeking sunny retreats there on the mountain sides; sometimes they have been found in such spots bare and quite unfledged. This bird, it is said, will not enter a house in Thebes,
because that city has been captured so frequently; nor will it
approach the country of the Bizyæ, on account of the crimes
committed there by Tereus. [Note] Cæcina [Note] of Volaterræ, a member
of the equestrian order, and the owner of several chariots, used
to have swallows caught, and then carried them with him to
Rome. Upon gaining a victory, he would send the news
by them to his friends; for after staining them the colour [Note] of
the party that had gained the day, he would let them go,
immediately upon which they would make their way to the
nests they had previously occupied. Fabius Pictor also relates,
in his Annals, that when a Roman garrison was being besieged
by the Ligurians, a swallow which had been taken from its
young ones was brought to him, inorder that he might give
them notice, by the number of knots on a string tied to its
leg, on what day succour would arrive, and a sortie might be
made with advantage.