112 By Leafy Ways. 



The birds have marked points of difference ; 

 but unlike as are their ways, their plumage, and 

 their song, they are constantly mistaken for each 

 other. 



They are often seen in company. Together they 

 skim the surface of the pool, among the crowds of 

 water-loving insects. Together they soar far up into 

 the blue heaven, until the sight can scarcely follow 

 their figures on the sky. 



But the naturalist distinguishes far off their form 

 and flight. He contrasts the long and deeply forked 

 tail of the swallow with the shallower notch and 

 shorter feathers of the martin. The throat of the 

 swallow is broadly marked with chestnut, bordered 

 with a band of deep blue black. The martin wears 

 pure white on throat and body, and carries also a 

 conspicuous patch of white over its tail. 



The swallow is a familiar bird. Well known to us 

 all are the sound of its voice and the sheen of its 

 wings. But although ever)' man knows, or thinks he 

 knows, the harbinger of spring, it is rare to see either 

 a swallow or a martin correctly drawn outside the 

 pages of a book on Natural History. 



Very different from either is the swift, who indeed 

 does not belong to the family at all, and more re- 

 sembles the humming-bird in his structure. His long 

 wings are curved like a bow. His sable plumage is 

 relieved by one faint touch of white upon the throat, 

 hardly visible, save when at some turn of his rapid 



