BARN SWALLOW. 



13 



of accuracy the number of cliff swallows in the State of Texas during 

 the month of September, but a very conservative estimate of the 

 number passing over the town of Victoria each day of the migration 

 is 10,000. Allowing but one meal a day and assuming that each bird 

 consumed on an average 18 weevils per day for the period of six 

 days during which the flight was under observation, we find that 

 these swallows destroy in one week in a single county more than a 

 million weevils! And this vast number is destroyed without a dol- 

 lar's expense to the cotton grower. In view of this good service the 



Fig. 4. — Barn swallow. 



folly of destroying the nests of swallows and of shooting the birds 

 because they harbor insects is apparent, especially when it is remem- 

 bered, as stated above, that the swallow parasites are not to be feared 

 by man. 



Barn swallow. — Barn swallows are common summer residents in 

 the western portion of Texas, but for some unknown reason do not 

 breed in the eastern part of the State. Even there they are common, 

 however, in the fall, when they join the other swallows in coursing 

 over the cotton fields. They fly very swiftly, often just above the 

 tops of the plants, and many a boll weevil falls a prey to their per- 



