98 BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 
circle over the fields in pursuit of their evening 
meal, when one might imagine they were resident 
birds, but observation will show that the general 
trend of their movement is toward the roost. 
This continues for an hour to an hour and a half, 
a cloudy evening hastening their actions, when their 
flight becomes more direct. Few birds pause to feed, 
but hurry on to the roosting places, and as the light 
fades the last birds rush through the gloom with 
arrowy speed and directness. The birds pass in 
straggling flocks, and periods of abundance are suc- 
ceeded by intervals of scarcity, as though the indi- 
viduals which had been associated during the day 
were journeying home together. 
Thus the Swallow’s evening flight may be ob- 
served throughout the region surrounding the 
marshes ; even in New York city they may be seen 
feeding above the houses, and after sunset flocks of 
swift-flying birds are often confused by the tele- 
graph wires, which, however, their dexterity of wing 
permits them to pass without serious harm. 
In the marshes the first birds are seen about two 
hours before sunset. Many follow the course of the 
river, and if one be at its border splash after splash 
is heard as the birds dip lightly into the water, fol- 
lowed by soft fluffs as arising from the stream they 
shake their plumage. Soon the air is filled with 
Swallows, all streaming toward the roost with in- 
creasing swiftness. 
Many birds, however, as though waiting for some 
tardy comrades, rest by the way, perching on tele- 
graph wires should they cross the marsh, or when 
these are wanting, on the tips of the reeds. They 
