Birds of Oregon and Washington 99 



These birds are so peaceable among them- 

 selves, so fond of living together, that we are 

 attached to them. Some of them make their 

 nests in colonies, and are not jealous of room or 

 of favorable locations. 



As much as the author of this book is pleased 

 with the " birds that sing," he wishes to record 

 that the Swallows have ministered to his happi- 

 ness not less. 



He sympathizes with Jeffries, who says : " As 

 well suppose the trees without leaves as the 

 summer air without swallows. Ever since, of 

 old time, the Greeks went round from house to 

 house in spring, singing the swallow song, these 

 birds have been looked upon as the friends of 

 man, and almost as the very givers of the sun- 

 shine. . . . The beautiful swallows, be tender 

 with them, for they symbol all that is best in 

 nature and all that is best in our hearts." 



There are six varieties of the Swallow proper 

 more or less common in Oregon and Washington. 

 They are the Violet -green, Cliff or Eave, White- 

 bellied or Tree, Bank, Rough-winged, and Barn 

 Swallows besides the Martin, which will be 

 described also. 



