OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 107 
Miss Sweet wrote upon the blackboard Thompson’s 
description of their nest building. 
The Swallow sweeps 
The slimy pool, to build its hanging house 
Intent. And often from the careless back 
Of herds and flocks, a thousand tugging bills 
Pluck hair and wool; and oft, when unobserved, 
Steal from the barn a straw; till soft and warm, 
Clean and complete their habitation grows. 
QUESTIONS. 
Do Swallows ever build in trees ? 
In what other places than a barn do they build ? 
What enables them to fly so swiftly ? 
How many kinds of Swallows do you know? 
How do they obtain their food ? 
For what trait are the Swallows most noted, for 
their song, their beauty, the swiftness of their flight, 
the gracefulness of their motions, or their ingenuity 
at nest building ? 
