128 
FINDING NATURE’S TREASURES 
“Yes, but not very often/' answered Uncle Jack. “They 
have very tiny feet that are not strong like the cardi¬ 
nal's or the mocking bird's. It is hard for them to sit on 
the large branch of a tree. When they do stop, they 
choose a dead twig, a wire fence, or a telephone wire." 
“Oh, did you see that swallow?" cried Marylee. “He 
flew down so close that he splashed the water. Perhaps 
he will be more careful next time." 
“He wanted to do that," said Uncle Jack. “He was 
getting a drink." 
“How could he get a drink that way?" asked Marylee. 
“He flies very close to the water. Then he opens his 
mouth so that the under part of his bill touches the 
water. He is flying so fast that the water splashes up 
into his throat, and he swallows it." 
“That is a queer way to get a drink of water," said 
Marylee. 
“Uncle Jack, you said that those cliff swallows ate 
insects," said Fred. “But I see two of them on the 
ground. They are on the other side of the creek close 
to some soft mud, and I can see them eating the mud." 
“No, Fred. They are not eating mud," laughed Uncle 
Jack. “They pick up the mud in their bills. Then they 
carry it away to make their nests. The cliff swallows 
use mud plaster for building nests. The nest is round 
with a hole on one side for a door. Do you see that steep 
cliff yonder beside the creek?" Uncle Jack pointed to a 
rock cliff higher than a house. Near the top, it hung over 
like the eaves of a roof. 
