ii6 



Bird -Lore 



trend is toward one particular region, and if you will wait long 

 enough, you will find that the}^ have all disappeared in that direc- 

 tion and that, when almost dark, belated parties passing by go in 

 a straight line direct for the same unknown destination. Certainly 

 a most interesting sight for the naturalist to see so many of these 

 lovely, lively, likeh' creatures passing over, about and around you. 



z^:/»."^ ' 



TREE (iR \\IIITEI5REASTE11 SWALLOWS 

 Photographed from nature by Edward Van Altena, Alpine, N, J., September, 1898 



all governed by one idea, all driven by one common impulse, all 

 eager to reach the same aim, the common roost I Where is the 

 roost ? Where do all these birds spend the night ? How do they 

 retire in the evening, and what is their conduct when they leave 

 their night-quarters in the morning ? 



In spite of their large numbers and generally unconcealed 

 activity, the answer to these questions is not quite easy. Otherwise 

 confiding creatures. Swallows are careful to keep the exact location 

 of their roost as much as possible a secret from the outer world. 

 Neither the persons who live in the neighborhood of the marsh, 

 nor the hunters who desecrate its sanctity, could tell you where 



