59 



Fig. 49. NEST AND EGGS OF BARN SWALLOW. 

 Always lined ivith soft feathers. 



The male bird did not come to the nest at all, while I was 

 there, but he encouraged his mate to do so for he would 

 stand outside, flirt his tail and utter many a harsh "phoe-be" 

 as she was going under the bridge ; he also often gave a 

 rather pretty trill as she came out, just as though he were 

 praising her for her bravery in going where he dared not. 

 Most of the food brought to the nest was small moths that 

 were caught flying over or about the edges of the brook. 



Barn Swallow 



Just as the Phoebe is the "Bridge-bird," so this is a bird 

 of the barn. Before the advent of civilized man, they 

 dwelt in caves or in hollow trees. So wholly have they now 

 adapted themselves to man's ways that I have never seen, 

 nor have I heard of an instance for many years, of one of 

 their nests except in a building constructed by human 

 hands. 



