The Tree Swallow 
layers are each made up of small pellets of mud, that have been worked 
over by the birds and placed one by one in juxtaposition until each layer 
is complete.” The mud walls, thus composed, are usually an inch in 
thickness, and the cavity left is first lined with fine soft grasses, then pro¬ 
vided with abundant feathers, among which the speckled eggs lie buried 
and almost invisible. 
Bringing off the brood is an event which may well arrest the attention 
of the human household. There is much stir of excitement about the 
barn. The anxious parents rush to and fro shouting tisic, tisic, now in 
encouragement, now in caution, while baby number one launches for the 
nearest beam. The pace is set, and babies number two to four follow 
hotly after, now lighting safely, now landing in the hay-mow, or compro¬ 
mising on a plow-handle. Upon the last-named the agonized parents 
urge another effort, for Tabby may appear at any moment. He tries, 
therefore, for old Nellie’s back, to the mild astonishment of that placid 
mare, who presently shakes him off. Number five tumbles outright and 
requires to be replaced by hand, if you will be so kind. And so the tragi¬ 
comedy wears on, duplicating human years in half as many days, until 
at last we see our Swallows among their twittering fellows strung like 
notes of music on the far-flung staff of Western Union. 
If birds really mean anything more to us than so many Japanese 
kites flown without strings, we may surely join with Dr. Brewer in his 
whole-souled appreciation of these friendly Swallows: ‘‘Innocent and 
blameless in their lives, there is no evil blended with the many benefits 
they confer on man. They are his ever constant benefactor and friend, 
and are never known even indirectly to do an injury. For their daily 
food and for that of their offspring, they destroy the insects that annoy 
his cattle, injure his fruit trees, sting his fruit, or molest his person. 
Social, affectionate and kind in their intercourse with each other; faithful 
and devoted in the discharge of their conjugal and parental duties; 
exemplary, watchful, and tender alike to their own family and to all 
their race; sympathizing and benevolent when their fellows are in any 
trouble,—these lovely and beautiful birds are bright examples to all, 
in their blameless and useful lives.” 
No. 107 
Tree Swallow 
A. O. U. No. 614. Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot). 
Synonym.— White-bellied Swallow. 
Description. —Adult male: Above, lustrous steel-blue or steel-green; below, 
pure white; the axillaries, sides, and lining of wings dusky; lores black; wings and tail 
539 
