Outdoor Visits  by Edith M. Patch

White Feathers

Mr. and Mrs. Tree Swallow had dark shiny backs that looked blue or green in the sunshine. Their under feathers were white.

They came to the park and found a bird box. They saw a hole in the box and tried to go in.

Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird chased them away. The bluebirds had a nest in the box. So it was their own home.

Don and Nan saw the bluebirds chase the swallows. They told Uncle Tom about the birds.

Their uncle said, "Tree swallows like to make their nests in holes in trees. They like boxes, too.

"Tree swallows and bluebirds like the same kind of place for a nest."

"May we have a bird box for the swallows?" asked Nan.

Uncle Tom gave Don and Nan a good bird box. It was the right size and shape for tree swallows.

Mr. Gray put up the new box in a different part of the park. Don and Nan helped him choose the tree.

Mr. and Mrs. Tree Swallow found it. They went in and out of the hole. They both twittered with happy voices.

Mr. Gray gave Don and Nan some white hen feathers. He told them what to do with the feathers.

He said, "Tree swallows like white feathers for their nests.

"Put some of the feathers on the ground and bushes near you. Then stand still and watch the swallows."

Mr. and Mrs. Tree Swallow saw the white feathers. They came and picked them up. They took them all into the bird box.

Then Mr. Gray said, "Nan, hold a feather in your hand as high as you can. Keep very quiet."

Don and Mr. Gray watched while Nan held the white feather.

Mrs. Tree Swallow flew near Nan's hand but she did not take the feather the first time.

Nan waited. She did not move.

The swallow came near Nan again. This time she took the feather out of Nan's hand and went into the bird box with it.

"Now, Don, you try it!" said Nan.

Don held a feather and one of the swallows came and got it.

Then Mr. Gray took some feathers and threw them up into the air. The wind blew them away.

The swallows flew after the feathers and caught some of them and took them into their box.