Editing Barn swallow (section)

=== In culture ===
{{further|Birds in culture}}

[[Gilbert White]] studied the barn swallow in detail in his pioneering work ''[[The Natural History of Selborne]]'', but even this careful observer was uncertain whether it migrated or hibernated in winter.<ref name= white /> Elsewhere, its long journeys were well observed, and a [[Sailor tattoos#Experiences and achievements|swallow tattoo]] is traditional among sailors as a symbol of a safe return; the tradition was that a mariner had a tattoo of this fellow wanderer after sailing {{convert|5000|nmi|km|abbr=off}}. A second swallow would be added after {{convert|10000|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at sea.<ref name =mmbc>{{cite web |title=Hardtack and marlinspikes&nbsp;– life and work aboard ship |work=Sailors' tattoos post-visit activity, teachers' handout |url=http://mmbc.bc.ca/downloads/educational_materials/Tatoos/tattoo%20activity%20text.pdf |publisher=Maritime Museum of British Columbia |access-date=2007-12-01 |archive-date=16 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216073643/http://mmbc.bc.ca/downloads/educational_materials/Tatoos/tattoo%20activity%20text.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the past, the tolerance for this beneficial [[insectivore]] was reinforced by superstitions regarding damage to the barn swallow's nest. Such an act might lead to cows giving bloody milk, or no milk at all, or to hens ceasing to lay.<ref name="Cocker">{{cite book |last=Cocker |first=Mark |author2=Mabey, Richard |title=Birds Britannica |year=2005 |location=London |publisher=Chatto & Windus |isbn=978-0-7011-6907-7}}</ref> This may be a factor in the longevity of swallows' nests. Survival, with suitable annual refurbishment, for 10–15 years is regular, and one nest was reported to have been occupied for 48 years.<ref name="Cocker" />

It is depicted as the ''martlet'', ''merlette'' or ''merlot'' in [[heraldry]], where it represents younger sons who have no lands. It is also represented as lacking feet as this was a common belief at the time.<ref name = "Cooper92">{{cite book |last=Cooper |first=JC |title=Symbolic and Mythological Animals |pages=218–19 |year=1992 |publisher=Aquarian Press |location=London |isbn=978-1-85538-118-6}}</ref> As a result of a campaign by [[ornithology|ornithologists]], the barn swallow has been the national bird of Estonia since 23 June 1960, and is also the national bird of Austria.<ref name="Estonia">{{cite web |title=The State&nbsp;— Structure and Symbols |work=Estonia |url=http://www.estonia.gov.uk/estonia/state |publisher=Estonian Embassy in London |access-date=27 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115000710/http://www.estonia.gov.uk/estonia/state |archive-date=15 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name = Estonia2>{{cite web |title=National symbols of Estonia |url=http://www.einst.ee/publications/symbols/ |publisher=The Estonia Institute |access-date=27 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071109221700/http://www.einst.ee/publications/symbols/| archive-date= 9 November 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>