98 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
providing homes for them. Let us hear what more they 
say about these five that I have just described to you.” 
TREE SWALLOW. The Tree Swallow, as is well known, has been 
persecuted by the English Sparrow until it has entirely abandoned 
many districts where formerly it abounded. An energetic war 
on the English Sparrow, and the careful protection of the Swallow 
domiciles, in a few years would result in a complete change of 
the situation, so far as this, one of the most beneficial of the 
Swallow tribe, is concerned. 
Barn SwatLtow. The Barn Swallow formerly was abundant 
throughout the northern states, especially in New England. 
The tightly built modern barn, however, no longer invites the 
presence of the Barn Swallow by affording it friendly shelter, 
and the birds are becoming scarcer and scarcer. To provide 
openings in modern barns, and to encourage the presence in them 
of colonies by providing convenient nesting sites are easy and 
effective methods by which this beautiful species may be greatly 
increased in numbers. This bird also requires protection from 
the English sparrow, which in one foray has been known to kill 
the young and destroy the eggs of a large colony. 
Bank Swa.iow. The well-known Bank Swallow, as its name 
implies, nests in sand-banks in holes of its own digging. Some 
farmers in the northern states take special pains to protect their 
colonies of Bank Swallows from the marauding of the prowling 
cat. Some even take pains to excavate suitable banks on their 
farms and devote them to the exclusive use of the Swallows. 
Gravel and sand-banks are so numerous throughout the north, 
especially in New England, that at trifling expense the number 
of colonies of Bank Swallows may be vastly increased, to the 
advantage of every farmer north and south, and to that of every 
nature lover as well. 
Curr SwaLttow. The curious pouch-shaped mud structures 
of the Cliff Swallow, attached under eaves or to the face of cliffs, 
are a sight familiar enough in the northern and western states, 
but in the cotton states, save Texas alone, they are wanting, 
