30 Bird Day Book 



not seen to rest on wires or fences ; at night they support themselves 

 in chimneys or hollow trees, while by day they are continually in 

 the air, where they pursue with astonishing dexterity the insects 

 which constitute their food. The tail feathers of the Swift end in 

 spiny points, and assist it in climbing, while the feet are so small 

 and weak that the Swift is almost incapable of perching or walking. 

 The sexes are alike. The note is an emphatic chip, either slowly 

 or rapidly repeated. The Swifts may be distinguished from any 

 swallow by their peculiar flight, and from the absence of the forked 

 tail. This when closed appears cigar-shaped, but when the bird 

 turns it is spread like a fan. The Swift winters outside the United 

 States, returning to New England early in May. 



s 



SWALLOWS. 



♦ @ » 



IT WAS only a schoolboy's gray old barn, 

 Where catnip and smartweed throve — 

 W T here a strawstack stood on the back of a tarn, 



And cattle we called a drove 

 L,ow r ed and browsed, or wandered about the yard 



As milking time drew near ; 

 Where gates were closed and the fence was barred, 



But that wide-cracked barn was dear, 

 For the urchin who stole away from school 



To lie on the haymow high, 

 And, free from the thralldom of teacher's rule, 



We watched the swallows fly 

 And perch by their nests on the purline plates, 



To bow and twitter and sing, 

 Or snuggle together as happy mates. 



How memories cluster and cling 

 As, here in the sunshine, swallows glide 



O'er the river's quiet flow ! 

 A swallow's blithe notes have opened wide 



The gates of the long ago. 



