BIRDS AND THEIR PARLOURS 155 



weather by flying low. But this is because the in- 

 sects which the swallows eat have been driven from 

 the upper regions of the air by the moisture which 

 precedes rain. 



Owls rejoice at the approach of dry fair weather 

 by screaming, hooting, and laughing, for they know 

 it means a good hunting trip for them. A lone 

 magpie during the brooding season foretells bad 

 weather, because the mate has remained at home to 

 take special care of the children, and in all ways to 

 protect their lovely delicate plumage from the rains. 



Manicure parlours are quite as necessary among 

 birds as among humans. Nature has wisely pro- 

 vided many rough stones, twigs, and shells for the 

 sharpening and polishing of beaks and nails. Storks 

 and cranes polish their beaks in the sand ; swallows 

 and martins brush against the sand banks; while 

 myriads of smaller birds, like the finches, sparrows, 

 bluebirds, and wrens, use the rough bark of trees 

 to polish and sharpen their beaks and nails. 



Beauty with birds, even more than with humans, 

 determines very largely their success in life, and 

 with them every profession has its special form of 

 beauty. 



Each and every family of birds has some pe- 

 culiar and attractive method of arranging its toi- 

 lette. In most instances they take great pleasure 



