BIRD LIFE IN WASHINGTON 
51 
SWALLOWS 
Swallows have been called sky-sweep¬ 
ers. Back and forth, back and forth, 
round and round the little sweepers go 
for many hours every day. They are 
cleaning the sky. Their wings are so 
long and strong that the birds do not 
easily tire. This is fortunate for us for 
they destroy millions of harmful insects. 
Those who know the swallows well, will 
give them a royal welcome. 
Some persons fear that the insects 
which infest the birds, may be hurtful to 
the cattle; but this is a mistake. Insects 
which live upon cattle will not live upon 
birds. On the other hand, the swallows 
destroy many insects that would other- 
wise annoy the cattle. 
In the autumn, when the insects grow 
scarce, the swallows leave us and go to 
sweep the sunny southern skies. 
TREE SWALLOWS 
Long before the “Lilacs all are bloom¬ 
ing and the cherry flowers are white’’ the 
Tree Swallow comes. We are usually 
surprised to meet him so early when his 
food supply is apparently so limited. 
We are glad to see him, though, for his 
happy twitter is a herald of approaching 
spring. 
