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 ii6 Bird -Lore trend is toward one particular region, and if you will wait long enough, you will find that the}^ have all disappeared in that direc- tion and that, when almost dark, belated parties passing by go in a straight line direct for the same unknown destination. Certainly a most interesting sight for the naturalist to see so many of these lovely, lively, likeh' creatures passing over, about and around you. z^:/»."^ ' TREE (iR IIITEI5REASTE11 SWALLOWS Photographed from nature by Edward Van Altena, Alpine, N, J., September, 1898 all governed by one idea, all driven by one common impulse, all eager to reach the same aim, the common roost I Where is the roost ? Where do all these birds spend the night ? How do they retire in the evening, and what is their conduct when they leave their night-quarters in the morning ? In spite of their large numbers and generally unconcealed activity, the answer to these questions is not quite easy. Otherwise confiding creatures. Swallows are careful to keep the exact location of their roost as much as possible a secret from the outer world. Neither the persons who live in the neighborhood of the marsh, nor the hunters who desecrate its sanctity, could tell you where