48 THE ROMANCE OF EVERIFARM 



vireo, black-billed cuckoo, and many others, all 

 hurrying to construct their homes and attending 

 strictly to their own business. 



The kingbird was looking after his affairs out in 

 the pasture, while the swallows were hurrying from 

 the pool to the barn carrying mud to construct their 

 nests, under the eaves of the building. 



The night hawk was seen sleeping on a limb which 

 was the same color as his feathers, awaiting the twi- 

 light when he would begin the hunt for his food, 

 consisting of mosquitoes and insects which fly mostly 

 at night. 



The newly arrived martins liked their new friends, 

 and felt that with such good companions their sum- 

 mer would be most pleasant. 



"I am wondering whether with all these bird fami- 

 lies located here, there will be enough food to go 

 around," inquired one martin of Screechy the owl. 



"Now don't worry about that. You will be kept 

 busy to keep the insects from taking the place ! Let 

 me see, what is it you eat mostly? Mosquitoes and 

 flies, isn't it? Yes, that is it," asked Screechy, and 

 answered his question at the same time. "Well, the 

 other birds eat other things, so they will not inter- 

 fere with you, and we are all going to get together 

 in a short time and make a cooperative arrangement, 



