The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-08-02
TIE BARN SWALLOW.


n yxcecaS All other Members ~ 10 Tam
ly Ia Ease rad Celebrity.
Nearly a hundred species OF swnl-
lows and a score or moro 81 swifts a .
recognized by naturallsts. North
America. exclusive Of Mexico, j.
favored with seven 81 the former and
four OF the latter. while only three
epecics Of swallows and one or two
of swifts come regularly 70 Europe.
Our common or barn" swallow IL
very similar to the European chimney !
swallow, and. In fact. may here be
considered MS identical. the specific
distinctions being fcebly marked. In
both continents the barn swallow. 70
use the least confusing term, l. the
favoritc " his family. and l. The only
bird commonly called swallow In
Europe. both OF the remaining species
being termed martins" lie exceeds
All Others OF the bettcr-known wal
lows ia ease and celebrity Of motion.
and In the cheerful confidence with
which he regards human kind. fancy
he does not often place his nest In the
chimrcys Of modern England. howcv-
er convenient he may have found those
structures as built IN ancient days.
Barns and out-buildings are his favor
lie summer homes; but in default 81
these. in wild places. a convenient
spot about a elf or quarry is utilized.
His t~witteriL- no;cs. though moi in
any sense a ':song.' are always agree
able. and when heard. some breezy
summer afternoon. among the rafters
Of a roomy old barn. when y Is ~
ing in d haif-lcthargic state upon the
ncw-mown hay. are certainly the mos
pleasant and soothing OF rural sounds.
Barn swallows nests are usually made
on a beam or raftcr. or pla>icsed 10
the side OF these supports. The ma
icrial is mud. mixed with fine hay and
grass. and strengthened with the glu-
tinous saliva OF the bird. The eggs
are white. thickly spotted with brown,
u are those also OF the cliff swallow.
All the rest OF our swallows. together
with the Swifts. have pure white eggs.
Young barn swallows are not for some
time able to follow the aerial cvo.u-
tions OF their parents. owing To the
slow growth OF the long outer tail
feathers that serve so admirably TO
balance the adults. They spend much
Of their time at rest. and even alight
on the ground TO pick up insects.
Notwithstanding their wonderful
command Of the air. swallows are ap-
parently as much exhausted by a long
migration as birds OF far inferior Volt
sorial powers. During the passage Of
the Gulf Of Mexico numbers alight
upon every passing vessel. and even
fall into the sea. The ordinary speed
Of the barn swallow has been estimated
a. a mile "A minute. which rate. maia-
tanned for a few hours. would easily
enable them to compass any stretch OF
water that may lie in their way.
In ancient times swallows were the
subject OF many strange tales and ia
bies. but were uniformly respected as
the winged messengers Of spring. II
was always thought unlucky To kill
them. and a survival OF these super
stitions Is now sometimes noticed In
remote districts. where the killing OF
a barn swallow i supposed TO cause
COWS to give bloody milk. and the nest
ing Of these agreeable birds in q barn
70 protect II from lightning. Long
may such notions pass current. II they
serve 10 sasr the swallows; for 1t sure.
" i bad luck TO harm creatures g
useful and pleasing. Wilson. in al
luding 70 this matter. acutcly remarks
..When the t,nets Of superstition lean
20 the side or humanity. one can heart
lily respect thcm;" and am sure We
oil heartily agree with him. st Loui.
Globe Democrat