TO 



GIUSEPPINA D'ALIA PITRE 



This little book, dear, was to have been dedicated to your mother, 

 when she, alas, was snatched from us in the terrible disaster of Mes- 

 sina, while she was transcribing for me notes and material concerning 

 the Swallow. 



Now that your dear mother and father live in you, I oflfer this book 

 in your name, sweet Giuseppina, as an augury of bright days for you 

 — our happiness and our care. 



May the good-omened little bird of gladness and of joy be to you 



a messenger of perennial spring, and may your life be always strewn 



with the roses, gladdened with the golden dreams, crowned with the 



happiness invoked for it by 



YOUR GRANDFATHER. 



