UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 619 
Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, 
E. W. NELSON, Chief. 
±\&' < &-ru 
Washington, D. C. 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 
March 8, 1918 
FOOD HABITS OF THE SWALLOWS, A FAMILY OF 
VALUABLE NATIVE BIRDS. 
By F. E. L. Beal, Assistant Biologist. 1 
CONTENTS. 
Food habits of the swallows 1 
Purple martin 3 
Cliff, or eaves, swallow 6 
Barn swallow 11 
Tree, or white-bellied, swallow 15 
Page. 
Violet-green swallow 19 
Bank swallow 21 
Rough-winged swallow 25 
Tabular summary 28 
FOOD HABITS OF THE SWALLOWS 
The swallows are the light cavalry of the army of birds, ever on 
the move, always on the skirmish line, their wings tireless. From 
early dawn until night they forage the fields of air, constantly on 
the alert to cut off stragglers from insect camps and missing no op- 
portunity to destroy these enemies of the farmer. From time im- 
memorial these birds have been the friends and companions of man. 
Whenever he has had a literature it has recorded the praise of the 
swallow. Ever since the human race has had a history " the swallow 
twittering from the straw-built shed" has roused the peasant at 
break of day to resume his labors, and he has returned to his cabin 
to rest " when the swallows homeward fly." 
All the species are more or less gregarious and appear to like not 
only the companionship of their kind but also that of man, to whom 
many have attached themselves, not as parasites but as cheerful com- 
panions and helpful friends. Probably no group of birds has made 
such a change in nesting sites as have some species of swallows, which 
persistently use the structures of man as a shelter and foundation 
for their nests instead of those provided by nature. 
iProf. Beal, the most experienced economic ornithologist in the country, died on 
October 1, 1916, shortly after the preparation of this paper. — Editor. 
Note.— This bulletin is a technical study of the food habits of the seven North 
American forms of the swallow family. It is for distribution in all sections of the 
United States. 
14684° — 18— Bull. 619 1 
