Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1889-08-18
THE BARN SWALLOW.

It Exceeds All Other Members OF Its Fam
lily I'm I:asr md Celebrity. )
Nearly n hundred species Of swal-
lows and u score or more of swiftS n .
recognized by n~a,uralists. NORTH
America. exclusive OF Mexico, Is
favored with seven Of tho former ana
four OF the latter, while only thre;
species OF swallows and IL or t@o
OF swifts como regularly TO Europe.
Our common or ''bu II" swallow is
very similar 10 tho European chimney
swallow, and. in fact, may here b.
considered rs Identical. the specific
distinctions being feebly marked. J.
both continents the barn swallow. to
use The least confusing term. IL the
favori;e of his family, and j. the on'y
bird commonly called swallow III
Europe. both OF tho remaining specie
being termed ''martins." He exceeds
all others OF the ~bcttcr-known swal-
lows in case aud celebrity Of motion.
and IN the cheerful confidence with
which he regards human kind. / fancy
he does not often place his nest i'll the
chimncys OF modern England. howcv-
or convenient he may have found those
structures rs built in ancient days.
Barns and out-buildings arc his favor
tic summer hOmc,; but III default Of
these, in wild places, 4 convenient
spot about Il elf or quarry is utilized.
His t]wiitcring notes, though not in
any sense a song = :. ways agree.
abe. and when heard, some breezy
ummcr afternoon. among tho raftors
OF Il roomy old barn, when one Is ~
ing in n huif-lc;hargic state upon the
Eew-mown hay, are certainly the most
pleasant and soothing Uf rural sounds.
Barn sw aiiows' nests are usually made
on n beam or rattcr, or plasic cd to
tho side OF these supports. The ma
tcrial is mud. mixed with fine hay and
grass. and strengthened with the glu-
tinous saliva of tho bird. The eggs
arc white, thiclily spotted with brown,
a. are those also OF the cliff swallow.
AL tho rest Of our swallows. together
with the swift', have pure white eggs.
Young barn swallows a'C not for some
time able TO follow the aerial cvOiu-
tions Of their parents. owing to the
slow growth OF the long outer tail
feathers that serve so admirably 10
balance the adults. They spend much
OF their time ut rest, and even mlight
on the ground 10 pick up insect.
Notwithstanding their wonderful
command Of The air. swallows are APP.
parcntly rs mich exhausted by n long
migration ~ birds OF far inferior yoli.
torial powers. During tho passage Of
the Gulf OF Mexico numbers a!igh:
upon every pHsaing vessel, and even
fell into tho sea. Tho ordinary speed
OF the barn swallow has been estimated
Mt II mile u minute, which rate. main
tanned iora few hours, would easily
enable them 10 compass any stretch oil
water that may lilo in their way.
In ancient times swallows wcro tho
subject Of mauy strange tales and fu-
bles. but we're uniformly respected rs
tho winged messengers OF spring. II
was always thought unlucliy to kill
them, and q survival OF these siIner-
stitions is now sometimes noticed in
remote districts. where tho killing Of
Il barn swallow II supposed to cnusc
cows to give bloody milk. and the nest
Ing OF these agreeable birds in Il barn
to protect it from lightning. Long
may such notions pass current. il thuy
servo TO savo tho swallows; for il sure.
j. IL bad luck TO harm creatures so
useful and pleasing. Wilson. in al
luding to this matter. acutcly remarks:
when the t,ucts of superstition lean
to tho sido OF humanity. one can hcurt-
lily respect them;" and | am cure wo
all heartily agree with him. st Louis
Globe Democrat.