158 



OUR DEBT TO THE SWALLOWS 



cat and wage war against their worst enemy, 

 the English sparrow? 



We may have grave doubts to-day as to 

 the healing virtue of the ashes of the swal- 

 low's body, but, through a knowledge of her 

 and of the strange beliefs and superstitions 

 which cluster about her, we may at last come 

 to realize the true worth of our little bird 

 friend: — that, like Vergil's enchanted fly, she 

 sits continual guard over our forests, our 

 grain fields, our vineyards — yes, over our 

 very homes and lives. 



