BIRDS THAT EAT AS THEY FLY 
“Uncle Jack, what kind of birds are those flying over 
the creek ?” asked Buddy. He had been watching the 
birds as he and the other children sat on the bank eat¬ 
ing their lunch. “They just keep flying all the time,” he 
continued. 
“Those are Cliff Swallows,” replied Uncle Jack. “There 
is one high in the air. See how fast he flies. There, he 
almost stops. There, he darts off to one side. Now he is 
dropping nearly straight down. He is flying up again. 
He is turning around now, and coming back just above 
the water.” 
“Why does he fly here, there, and everywhere like 
that?” asked Bess. “Is he playing?” 
“No, indeed. He is getting his dinner of the insects 
that are flying in the air all the time. The swallow flies 
along until he sees an insect, then he darts after it. Some 
of the insects can fly very fast. Then it is a real race, 
and the swallow has to turn this way and that before 
he can catch one. When you see him suddenly turn to 
one side, you may be sure he has seen an insect and is 
trying to catch it.” 
“But, Uncle Jack, don't they ever get tired, and stop?” 
asked Buddy. 
127 
