he darker plumage."

The Swallow is considered a life-paired species, and returns to its
nesting site of the previous season, building a new nest close to the
old one. His nest is found in barns and outhouses, upon the beams of
wood which support the roof, or in any place which assures protection to
the young birds. It is cup-shaped and artfully moulded of bits of mud.
Grass and feathers are used for the lining. "The nest completed, five or
six eggs are deposited. They are of a pure white color, with deep rich
brown blotches and spots, notably at the larger end, round which they
often form a zone or belt." The sitting bird is fed by her mate.

The young Swallow is distinguished from the mature birds by the absence
of the elongated tail feathers, which are a mark of maturity alone. His
food is composed entirely of insects. Swallows are on the wing fully
sixteen hours, and the greater part of the time making terrible havoc
amongst the millions of insects which infest the air. It is said that
when the Swallow is seen flying high in the heavens, it is a never
failing indication of fine weather.

A pair of Swallows on arriving at their nesting place of the preceding
Summer found their nest occupied by a Sparrow, who kept the poor birds
at a distance by pecking at them with his strong beak whenever they
attempted to dislodge him. Wearied and hopeless of regaining possession
of their property, they at last hit upon a plan which effectually
punished the intruder. One morning they appeared with a few more
Swallows--their mouths filled with a supply of tempered clay--and, by
their joint efforts in a short time actually plastered up the entrance
to the hole, thus barring the Sparrow from the home which he had stolen
from the Swallows.

[Illustration: BARN SWALLOW.]

THE BROWN THRUSH.

"However the world goes ill,
The Thrushes still sing in it."

The Mocking-bird of the North, as the Brown Thrush has been called,
arrives in the Eastern and Middle States about the 10th of May, at which
season he may be seen, perched on the highest twig of a hedge, or on the
topmost branch of a tree, singing his loud and welcome song, that may be
heard a distance of half a mile. The favorite haunt of the Brown Thrush,
however, is amongst the bright and glossy foliage of the evergreens.
"There they delight to hide, although not so shy and retiring as the
Blackbird; there they build their nests in greatest numbers, amongst the