The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-05-18
0LIMPsEs OF NATURE
a Nasarallss's CAAllesss e Pssss-Asr sasut
oUlasrs-Cr0ws u C0afseease.

oDoases-CroWs u Coafsrease.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. May o. Tho
swallows made their nrst appearance to-day.
When they arrive always begin looking up
camphor gum In which to pack away my over.
coat and winter hannels for the season. We
never have any cold weather to speak Of after
they arrive. and they are the true harbipgers Of
summer. even - the song sparrows are Of
spring. Their coming. like that Of all the other
birds. 10 dependent upon the occurrence Of the
insects upon whion they feed. Tho blusbirds
subsist. at least during tho early part Of their
residence. on the eggs and chrysalIdes OF vsri-
Gus insects. which are deposited under or glued
upon tho bark Of the orchard trees. Tho
robins and blaokbirds explore the loosened
earth for grubs and worms. which are still half
dormant from the winters cold. The swallows
live entirely upon the winged things which
swarm In the air In tho warm sunlight. 30 II
II really the bugs and worms which are the
true prophets OF spring and summer. although
We are prone to consider the birds In this light
% being ct once moro conspicuous and more
interesting. Poots often write very beautifully
Of birds as being the couriers and heralds
Of the seasons: which OF them will present
himself 40 the friend Of fact and write Us an
ode on the wood louise or the angle worm1
The swallow IL prominently q creature Of
the cir. He 10 the embodiment Of swift flight.
with his long sharp wings. his head SGT close
against his shoulders and bis rudder-liko tall.
The barn swallow Is the swiftsst and most un-
tirina In flight. as ono would say ct once who
saw his clipper wings and forked tail. He
hardly ever touches the ground. and when he
does no cuts but q sorry figure. and IL - I'M
graceful % duck out OF water. Successive
generations Of his race have 80 little exercised
their legs and fest that these members in him
IL anA a ina pkor~ Ia khA -
bis wings has increased In great measure. I
havo sometimes sat noarly all day BY barn
swallows nest while he was foraging for insects
for his young. and he did not rest . moment
from daylight to dark. He would como dash
ing In ct the barn door. skim over
tho hay NOW to his nest on the dark
retter, disgoree. his mouthful Of insects
into the gaping threats Of his young. and i'm
snda n sSt eeasna
ally impress me- and make the chance Of mans
S yin wss
set S X iESi .sa aS .p1s. fss ms a a Ess
Ssd y reason & his ;itsnssS q VIE: TiE +;
eyes were but Eeener. l doubt not we should 10
Sas are @ pss.na through ths
over US. II would 20 very interesting. too: 70
see the SWALLOWS 8ODDl0 tnom w. which VIC can
a, observed very curious thing one day n
the m 1Ss low, strong Mnd was blowing
about 't Thso
thing too small Tor me to discern; After watch:
liz @s
mouth found Il t. Be- iull q small spiders, al
!STeasS * re Ss. s!r tic issSi9s HsIss tGs
looked moro closely about mo, and soon found
out, By gazing intently against the clear sky
II the q the
lously into tho air. These bodies were spiders
The threads We're their webs Which, Using IN
the warm ar from the earth. wore blown along
BY the Gs5ssa hS hs w sna
DoI.e; ana drew pieture e myself q how he
and e s IN tai seasd
i ss saS a1sf .s ,e sea sfnf
would bear his wight and finally LETTING him:
ming = thread strong enough to hold bic
weh ys5 Th sa., W. not SO the ar
I started TO write upon birds. yet have
strayed upon insects; But since ain upon In
sests ! may e we'll speak about ono or two
had Always ' Known now. The dragon iy@sr dsvls
T. tRs nse Ssd
dsa PIN ..ns ss Moes.
a. BIG b. ? yeiioE head s e and ai is %
went over to look at It. and found Il to consist
g, ySSw butterfly Sysa and huge
butterfly somewhere and nown away wit It.
sasss ad 5 cat 4
Sod sesf Sp ssleE and aS SMASHED ths
dragon ny after his meal. thinking it an out
or Ts
Ssiss III sd sSSs AZ 81 bad
es%s ,Sss nosau fs a ana mtdsss ss
should eSt butterflies appears to me species
"A i few years ago. while stroling In the woods
! Observed very curious action On ne part 81
nG s's y syss wRss Sof down.
from above. and . few minutes later about 6fty
9 eE sixty crows came flying up and aliShted on
II sssss Thsy had 40 more "St than All siigStea
Wuou tuoy All DTok0 OUT lnto VOClteTOuS cAW-
ings. all talking at onoe. and making a tremen-
dOus uproar. In. the midst OF this row
81 As one ' 81 oass s 81 bsns
left the general concourse and flew 20
the sspD, ss s soSs wasss H. sshSa
the isrEq7ning q the rest rest, began to
murs. and finally ceased altogether. exactly as
while awaiting tho coming Of a lecturer. be-
comes gradually silent whom the man who IL
n " n nat Ia IA M a.
Of the rabole had ceased. the Moderator, or
whatever else he was. on the TOP OF the tree
began 70 speak. and jHbbered and crooked away
snimatedly. and adding emphasis 70 bis dis.
which evidently stood to him M In the place Of
attentive and respectful silence during his
exordium. broke out again into hoarse
and confused outcry. which was doubtless
IN discussion OF some argument or suggestion
old crow In the tree top again lifted up his
voice and gave tho band another taste OF hie
tongue. after which another Cabling talk took
place. and then tho whole congregation arose
upon their wings and flew rapidly away: I
would have given great deal to BE- able to fol.
low them aud see what they did. and learn
H. hat Isho