CHAPTER IV 



THE BARN SWALLOW AND ITS USE OF DESERTED 

 BUILDINGS 



THE Barn Swallow is another bird that 

 has adapted itself to human habitations. 

 As its safe nesting places disappeared, it 

 came to man to make its home, plastering its 

 tiny nest on some nook or corner of his build- 

 ings. The nest of the Barn Swallow is very 

 wonderfully made. Unfortunately the great- 

 est builders often have the greatest difficulties. 

 The useful, beautiful, unoffending Barn Swal- 

 lows have had such a hard time among us that 

 a lecturer on birds recently made the statement 

 that they were becoming extinct. 



Because they are beautiful birds, have a 

 confidential nature, and build about the barns 

 and out-houses they have been, in past days, a 

 mark for boys who knew no better than to 

 shoot them, proud of the number they were 

 able to bring down. Bird-lovers have done 

 much to lessen this evil. Children are learning 

 the benefit of birds and are becoming interested 

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