[82 Bird- Lore 



the house seeking shelter and warmth. They crept in behind the window blinds, 

 came into open windows, huddled together by dozens on cornices and sills. 

 The}- were quite fearless; once I held my hand outside and two of them lighted 

 •on its palm and sat there quietly. As it grew dark and colder their numbers 

 increased. They flew about the halls and perched in corners, and the whole 

 house was alive with them. Few of the guests in the hotel knew what they were; 

 some even called them 'bats,' and were afraid they might fly into their faces 

 o r become entangled in their hair. One man informed those about him that 

 they were Humming Birds, 'the large kind, you know,' but all were full of 

 sympathy for the beautiful little creatures, out in the cold and darkness. A few 

 were taken indoors and sheltered through the night, but 'what were these among 

 so many?' 



"The next morning the sun shone brightly though the weather was still 

 very cold — the mercury had fallen below 30 during the night. But as I raised 

 the shade of one of my eastern windows I saw a half-dozen of the Swallows 

 sitting upon the ledge in the sunshine, while the air seemed again filled with 

 flashing wings. I was so relieved and glad. Surely the tiny creatures, with their 

 tints of steely blue or shining green contrasting with the pure white of the under 

 parts, were more hardy than I had feared. But. alas! it was but a remnant that 

 escaped. Hundreds were found dead. Men were sent out with baskets to gather 

 the limp little bodies from piazzas, window ledges and copings. It was a pitiful 

 sight for St. Valentine Day, when, as the old song has it, 'The birds are all 

 choosing their mates.' " 



Questions for Students and Teachers 



When does the Tree Swallow reach your vicinity in the spring? Does it remain 

 during the summer? If not, when does it return in the fall. When is it last seen? 

 What is the range of the Tree Swallow? On what does it feed? What is the character 

 of its nest ? Describe its eggs. What other Swallows are found in North America ? 



