Handbook of Nature-Study 



1 2 . What is the color of the eggs ? Describe the feeding of the young 

 and the sounds made by them and their parents. Do both parents work 

 together to build the nest and feed the young? 



13. Is there usually more than one nest in the same locality? When 

 the young swallows are large enough to leave the nest, describe how the 

 parents continue to care for them. 



14. Have you ever heard the barn swallows sing? Describe their 

 conversational notes. 



15. When do the barn swallows migrate and where do they go during 

 the winter? How can you distinguish the barn swallow from the eave 

 swallow ? 



The Bank Swallow 



1 6. Where do the bank swallows build? What sort of soil do they 

 choose? 



17. How does a bank look which is tenanted by these birds? 



1 8. How far do the bank swallows tunnel into the earth? What is 

 the diameter of one of these tunnels ? Do they extend straight or do they 

 rise or deflect? 



19. With what tools is the tunnel excavated? Where is the nest 

 situated in the tunnel and how is it lined? 



20. How can you distinguish this species from the barn and eave and 

 tree swallows? At what time do the bank swallows leave us for migration 

 south ? 



The Tree Swallow 



2 1 . Where does the tree swallow 

 make its nest? How does its nest 

 differ from that of the barn, eave, or 

 bank swallow ? When does it begin 

 to build? 



22. How can we encourage the 

 tree swallow to build near our 

 houses ? Why is the tree swallow a 

 much more desirable bird to have in 

 bird houses than the English spar- 

 row? 



23. Describe the peculiar mi- 

 grating habits of the tree swallow. 

 How can you tell this species from 

 the barn, the eave and the bank 

 swallows ? 



The Purple Martin 



24. Compare the purple martin 

 with the swallows and describe hpw 

 it differs, in size and color. 



2 5 . Where did the martins build 

 their nests before America was 



A tree swallow. 

 Photo by Geo. Fiske. Jr. 



civilized? Where do they like to nest now? How do the purple martins 

 benefit us and how can we induce them to come to us? 



