He has not much of a song, but we are
always glad to see him because he seems glad to see us. He comes to the
piazza steps, plainly asking for crumbs. If we give them to him, he may
build his hair-lined nest in the vine on the trellis.
Some day later in the month the barn swallow may be seen flitting in and
out the barn door or hay window, twittering merrily. He has seen many
countries since he left us last October. Probably he has been to Central
America, or even Brazil. But in all his travels I am sure he has visited
no place he loves as well as the old barn.
The chimney swift loves his chimney, too. Let us hope that when he
returns early in May he will not find smoke curling from his home.
Each day now brings a host of the little feathered travelers. In
February and March we cannot tell just what day to look for our bird
friends. If it is cold and bleak, they must wait for warmer weather. In
May, when the sun shines brightly, and the season of storms has passed,
we know almost exactly when to expect each bird.
About the first of the month we shall again be cheered by the songs of
the catbird and wren. From a tree-top near the roadside a brown thrasher
will sing a song of rejoicing. In the woods the wood thrush will chant a
hymn of praise.
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