WESTERN BIRDS SwaUows 



FAMILY— HIRUNDINIDtE. SWALLOWS. 



Few of our birds have been more woven into song 

 and story than has the gentle Swallow. Its incessant 

 circling flight is the epitome of grace, and well might 

 inspire the poet's muse. Even to more prosaic mortals 

 there is something inspirational in the movements of 

 these birds. With the coming of the warm days of 

 spring they appear in large flocks, flying in their graceful, 

 swift way through the air, reminding one that warmer 

 days are at hand. They are summer birds, only, and 

 when nesting duties are over, they again assemble in 

 large flocks and wing their way to warmer climes. 



While to the singer and poet a Swallow is a Swallow, 

 scientists tell us that there are nine species found north 

 of Mexico. While differing somewhat in plumage, range, 

 and manner of nest-building, they are all unmistakably 

 of the same tribe, and easy of identification. The long 

 wings, short, flat bill which is broad at the base and 

 opens wide, enabling them to catch insects as they skim 

 through the air; the small, weak feet, proclaim them 

 gleaners of the air. Surely that is their mission in life 

 — to rid the air of insect life. One cannot imagine the 

 big, clumsy Thrashers skimming over the water and 

 marshes, or circling far overhead; neither can we 

 imagine the Swallows probing in the soil for grubs. Each 

 bird has its place in Nature, and it is the province of 

 the Swallows to guard the air. 



H. W. Henshaw, in Circular No. 56, says of the eco- 

 nomic value of these birds: 



"From the standpoint of the farmer and orchardist, 

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