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 96. Bird - Lore

For some days now my Swallows had been having visitors to their box. These Swallows would often come to the maple tree, perhaps to make a call. One especially I could always distinguish, for she was a dull brown color, and not at all green and shiny. She would come quite often, and, clinging onto the door of the box, would gaze curiously at the young ones. who evidently knew she was not their father or mother, for they never opened their mouths to her for food. Once a strange Swallow came and fed the young ones. V

On June 20, all ﬁve of the young were still at the door of the box. This was the last day I saw my Swallows. The two old ones were perched upon the maple, with the morning sun shining upon their beautiful green- ish blue backs and snowy white breasts. The next _day I went away.

I returned on July 3 and the box was vacant.

SPOTTED SANDI’IPEK Photographed nom nature by R. H. Beebe. Amde. NY.

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