BIRDS. 143 



helpful in ridding the atmosphere of certain nox- 

 ious and troublesome insects. When a swallow is 

 seen gliding swiftly through the air, up at one 

 moment, down at another, and turning a backward 

 somersault at another, he is not doing it for the 

 mere sport of expert acting. In every case it will 

 be found that he is close upon the heels of some 

 swift-flying insect, and must needs follow its devious 

 course in order to catch it. Just as woodpeckers 

 keep trees free of insects, so do swallows perform 

 a similar service for the atmosphere. 



It is a well-known fact that swallows all fly south 

 early in autumn. This is very necessary. Living, 

 as they do, upon insects of the air alone, their food 

 supply soon vanishes on the approach of cold 

 weather. They are then compelled to seek a 

 climate where the air is warm enough for insects 

 to be found. 



Most swallows are social in their habits, and will 

 build their nests in and about barns and other 

 farm buildings, if allowed to do so. They should 

 be encouraged in this habit. They will pay many 

 times over for the trouble of providing for them in 

 keeping the summer air around the premises clear 

 of insects troublesome to both man and beast. 



THE MEADOW LARK. 



The meadow lark is distinctively a ground bird. 

 It nests on the ground and feeds on the ground. 

 Now and then it can be seen sitting for a few min- 



