In the Spartina with the Swallows 121 



they continue their course. Is it not strange tliat they seem to 

 think that this is the only place for Eaves to drink, though the lake 

 is half a mile long ? 



Bobolinks also arrive in the marsh ; small parties pass over, 

 and their pink is often in the air. It is now 5.30 v. .m. More Eaves 

 come, drink, and move on. We move, too, following them through 

 the high spartina until we see in the distance an oasis of black 

 dots in the yellow sea of grasses. While we are still advancing, a 



I ^ < *^ f 



^— f — ^f—^ M ^-^ — f 



' BIRD NOTES TREE SWALLOWS 



Photographed from nature by Frank M. Chapman 



Pigeon Hawk darts over our heads, going straight for the oasis. 

 In less than no time the black dots take wing and up goes the 

 whole congregation of Eaves, up, up, scattering to all winds, and 

 disappearing for several minutes. But the disturber is gone, and 

 the frightened birds find courage to return and sit down again on 

 their favorite weeds, from which they can overlook the marsh for 

 miles around. 



The Bobohnks, for whose special benefit the Hawk's visit was 

 this time meant, are still hovering in the air, but new troops arrive, 

 and after some aimless drifting all settle down to roost amongst the 

 grasses. 



The sun is down now, and perfect streams of Swallows are flow- 

 ing from all sides toward the oasis in the center. This is the mo- 

 ment when the Whitebreasts, who for the last hour have been con- 

 gregating on the lotus of the neighboring lakes, mingle with the 

 passing Eaves and accompany them to the common roost. The 

 Roughwings, too, have left their haunts and are appearing in the 

 marsh. 



The light of day is waning fast, and the smoky air gets dim and 

 misty. The assembled Eaves are now seen to rise in clouds from 

 their oasis, mix their forces with the invading army, and the grandest 



