THE CLIFF SWALLOW. 



333 



wigwam. Then they are dislodged from the cliff like an avalanche of missiles, 

 a silent, down-sweeping clond ; but immediately they gain assurance in the 

 open and bedlam begins all over again. 



The Cliff Swallows are. of course, beyond the reach of all four-footed 

 enemies, but now and again a June rain-storm comes at the cliff from an 

 unexpected quarter and plays sad havi:)c with their frail tenements. Besides 



Taken m L'iniglas C oiinly. 



Photo bv the Autiior. 



A NESTING CLIFF, FROM BELOW. 



this (in strictest confidence: one dislikes to pass an ill word of a suffering 

 brotlier ) the nests are likely to be infested with bed-bugs. Not all. of course, 

 are so afflicted, but in some cases the scourge becomes so severe that the nest 

 is abandoned outright, and eggs or young are left to their fate. In spite of 

 this compromising weakness, the presence of these Swallows confers an 

 incalculable benefit upon the farmer of eastern Washington, in that they alone 

 are able tij cope with a liost of winged insect pests. They race tirelessly 

 to and fro across the landscape. wea\'ing a magic tapestry of searcli, nnlil 

 it would seem that not a cubic inch of atmosphere remains withc^ut its in\-isil)le 

 thread of flight. 



