attention to two very fundamental differences in the nesting 
habits of two such similar birds. 
When the broods were young, the parents of both species 
diligently removed the white sacs of dejecta and dropped them 
at a distance as is the common habit of passerine birds. This 
habit was continued during the entire residence of the young 
Tree Swallows in their nest, but only while the Barn Swallows 
were small. When the latter had attained nearly adult stature 
and for several days before they flew, they discharged their 
dejecta over the edge of the nest, whitening the piazza floor 
below, but leaving the nest unsoiled. In both cases the nest 
sanitation was perfect. 
The second difference in habit between the two species is of 
considerable interest. The Tree Swallow brood once launched 
into the world was lost. As far as I know it did not again 
occupy its birthplace that season. Not so the Barn Swallow. 
For several days before they left the nest the five young birds 
seemed fully grown and fully feathered. The chief difference 
betweeen them and their parents was the fact that they lacked 
the long outer feathers of the tail. The five heads and necks 
with their neat brown throat bibs presented a charming ap¬ 
pearance, extending in a row over the edge of the nest. Their 
shining black eyes looked at me unafraid. When a parent 
appeared, all their yellow mouths flew open in eager expect¬ 
ancy and all twittered beseechingly. Usually only one, some¬ 
times two, were rewarded by a mouthful of insect food. A day 
arrived when the parents flew under the porch back and forth 
close to the nest as if to entice the young birds, but not feeding 
them. Several of their friends joined with them, for at times 
there were four or even five birds flying before the gallery of 
young. 
The next day there were only three birds in the nest after 
the early morning, but the two wanderers returned at sunset. 
On the following day all five flew off at eight in the morning. 
At times they rested in trees and were fed by the parents, 
sometimes they were fed in mid-air, but doubtless they did 
some insect catching on their own hook. At six o’clock they 
were all back in the nest and being fed by the parents. For 
four more days this was repeated. The young left in the morn- 
34 
