SWALLOW ROOSTS AND MIGRATION 



and trees, and bird-houses that come in their 

 way, as well as of collecting feathers in their 

 bills as they fly. This autumnal revival of 

 the nesting instincts is an interesting trait, 

 and appears to be a common one in birds. 

 Examples of this are the autumnal revival of 

 song, notably in the meadow-lark, bluebird, 

 song and Savannah sparrows, as well as in 

 the barn and tree swallows; of the inspection 

 of nesting localities by bluebirds and phoebes 

 as well as by tree swallows; and of the court- 

 ship actions of grouse, sandpipers, plovers and 

 ducks. 



Among the apple orchards near the coast 

 at Ipswich are to be found many ancient trees, 

 picturesque veterans, partly killed by the 

 struggles with many winters, storm-beaten 

 and time-worn, yet surprisingly full of vigor 

 in their living branches, as shown by their 

 wealth of blossoms in the spring and of apples 

 in the fall. Among the dead branches of these 

 old trees swallows love to congregate; here 

 they proclaim their presence, even in their ab- 

 sence, by the numerous white droppings that 

 spot the dead branches; here they roost for 

 the night in great numbers. From these dead 

 tree-tops they arise in the early morning with 



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