Swallow, Barn 



As he sweeps near us, the rich metalHc sheen of his 

 back is well seen; and as he flies up to a telegraph wire, 

 his long forked tail and deep chocolate breast identify 

 him beyond question. 



Florence A. Merriam. Birds of Village and Field. ^ 



None of the swallows have a song, but their feelings 

 effervesce in lively clinking notes that are not unmusical. 

 They are in less need of a song than most other birds, 

 for they can work off their feelings through their dashing 

 and tireless flight. 



Parkhurst. The Birds' Calendar.^^ 



The young often utter a series of twitters, which resemble 

 the laugh of a tickled child. 



MiNOT. Land and Game Birds.^^ 



Wheeling about our barns and houses, skimming over 

 the fields, its bright sides flashing in the sunlight, playing 

 ^'cross-tag" with its friends at evening, when the insects 

 too are on the wing, gyrating, darting and gliding through 

 the air, it is no more possible to adequately describe the 

 exquisite grace of the swallow's flight, than the glistening 

 buff of his breast. This swallow is pecuharly American. 



Neltje Blanchan. Bird Neighbors.^^ 



The dandelion tells me when to look for the swallow. 



Burroughs. Wake Robin.^ 



146 



