Bird Study 117 



Tree swallows. 

 Photo by A. A. Allen. 



LESSON XXVII 



THE SWALLOWS AND SWIFTS 



Leading thought The swallows are very graceful birds and are exceed- 

 ingly swift fliers. They feed upon insects which they catch upon the 

 wing. There are five native swallows which are common the eave, or 

 cliff, the barn, the bank, the tree swallow and the purple martin. The 

 chimney swift, although often called so, is not a swallow; it is more 

 nearly related to the hummingbird than to the swallows. 



Method The questions should be given as an outline for observation, 

 and may be written on the blackboard or placed in the field notebook. 

 The pupils should answer them individually and from field observation. 

 We study the swifts and swallows together to teach the pupils to distin- 

 guish them apart. 



Observations i. What is the general shape of the swallow? What 

 is the color of the forehead, throat, upper breast, neck, rump and tail? 



2. Is the tail noticeably forked especially during flight? 



3. Describe the flight of the swallow. What is the purpose of its 

 long, swift flight? How are the swallow's wings fitted for carrying the 

 bird swiftly? 



4. Describe the form of the beak of the swallow. How does it get its 

 food ? What is its food ? 



5. In what particular locations do you see the swallows darting 

 about ? At what time of day do they seem most active ? 



6. Describe the swallow's legs and feet and explain why they look 

 so different from those of the robin and blackbird. 



The Eavc, or Cliff Swallow 



7. Where do the eave swallows build their nests? Of what material 

 is the outside ? The lining? Describe the shape of the nest and how it is 

 supported. 



8. How early in the spring do the eave swallows begin to make their 

 nests? Where and by what means do they get the material for nest 

 building? Are there a number of nests usually grouped together? 



9. Describe the eave swallow's egg. Where do the parents sit when 

 feeding the young? What is the note of the eave swallow? 



10. What are the differences between the barn and the eave swallow 

 in color and shape of tail ? 



The Barn Swallow 



11. Where does the barn swallow place its nest? What is the shape 

 of the nest ? Of what material is it made ? 



