Teacher's Leaflet, 839 



Facts for the teacher. — The swallow has a long, slender and graceful body. The 

 color of the bird depends upon the species studied. In the case of the Bam Swallow 

 the tail is long and forked and this is particularly noticeable during flight; the 

 Bank Swallow has a slightly forked tail, while that of the Tree Swallow is simply 

 notched, and the tail of the Cliff Swallow ends squarely. The beak is very short 

 but wide where it joins the head; this enables the bird to open its mouth wide and 

 thus engulf the flying insects as it darts through the air. The swallows are of all 

 the birds the most swift and graceful in flight, and the special use of this swift 

 flying is to enable them to catch insects on the wing. Different species of swallows 

 may be found in different localities; the Bank and Cliff Swallows are seen darting 

 about above the streams and ponds, especially late in the afternoon when the 

 insects are more numerous in these localities, while the Bam Swallow may be seen 

 flying over meadows and pastures and feeding upon insects hovering there. The 

 legs of the swallows are short and the feet weak; they are used only for perching; 

 it would be impossible for a swallow to walk or hop like a robin or black bird. 



Lesson XLVIL 

 the eave or cliff swallow. 



Purpose. — To enable the pupils to distinguish this species by both 

 appearance and habit. 



Observations : 



(1). Where do the eave swallows build their nests? 



(2). Of what material is the outside and the lining? 



(3). Describe the shape of the nest and how it is supported. 



(4). Are a number of nests usually found together? 



(5). How early in the spring do the eave swallows begin to make their 

 nests? 



(6). Where and by what means do they get the material for the nest? 



(7). Describe the eggs. 



(8). Where do the parents sit when feeding the young? 



(9). What is the note of the eave swallow? 



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

 in color and shape of tail? 



Facts for the teacher. — The eave or Cliff Swallows build under the eaves of barns 

 or in similar locations. In early times they built against the sides of cliffs but 

 when man came and made bams they changed their dwelling place. The nest is 

 made of mud pellets and is plastered into .somewhat globular shape with the entrance 

 at one side. When building on the sides of cliffs or in unprotected portions of the 

 barn a covered passage is built around the door which gives the nest the shape of a 

 gourd or retort, but when protected by the eaves the birds seem to think this 

 is unnecessary. The nest is plastered firmly to the side of the bam and is warmly 

 lined with feathers and soft material; often there are many nests built so closely 

 together that they touch. The Eave Swallow comes about May 1st and soon after 



