Animal life in the sea and on the land . Fin. 215.—Xest of Edible Swallow. sea-shore, and from these places it is extremely difficultand dangerous to gather them. 30. Bank-swallows. — Not the least interesting of theswallows are the bank-swallows, which, when seen at all,are generally congregated in large flocks. They dig holesfor their nests in perpendicular bluffs of fine sand near 318 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE SEA AND ON THE Fig. 216.—Home of the Bank-swallow. some sheet of water. These holes extend into the bankfor two or three feet, and at the farthest extremity isplaced a loose nest of h
Animal life in the sea and on the land . Fin. 215.—Xest of Edible Swallow. sea-shore, and from these places it is extremely difficultand dangerous to gather them. 30. Bank-swallows. — Not the least interesting of theswallows are the bank-swallows, which, when seen at all,are generally congregated in large flocks. They dig holesfor their nests in perpendicular bluffs of fine sand near 318 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE SEA AND ON THE Fig. 216.—Home of the Bank-swallow. some sheet of water. These holes extend into the bankfor two or three feet, and at the farthest extremity isplaced a loose nest of hay, jauntily lined with a few softgoose feathers standing upright. One hole is just like an-other, and they are placed so close together in the bankthat we might suppose it would puzzle the birds to findtheir nests, but each one knows its own. 31. Whippoorwills.—Whippoorwills are rather dismal PERCHING-BIRDS. 319 birds, inhabiting secluded spots in the deep woods, andkeeping out of sight until night comes on, when they flyforth in search of insects. It is at this time only that wemay hear their mournful cry of whip-poor-will, whichis sounded so dis-tinctly as to be quitestartling. They donot build a nest, butmerely scratch ahole in the earthnear a rock or fallentree to contain theireggs. 32. Provision forcatching Insects. —Swallows and whip-poorwills feed uponinsects, and no bet-ter trap could be de-vised for catc
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1887
