File:The swallow book; the story of the swallow told in legends, fables, folk songs, proverbs, omens and riddles of many lands (1912) (14564502969).jpg

Identifier: cu31924028149221 (find matches)
Title: The swallow book; the story of the swallow told in legends, fables, folk songs, proverbs, omens and riddles of many lands
Year: 1912 (1910s)
Authors: Pitrè, Giuseppe, 1841-1916, comp Camehl, Ada Walker, tr
Subjects: Swallows Birds
Publisher: New York, Cincinnati (etc.) American book company
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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andtheir nesting encouraged ? In olden timesthe snaring and killing of birds was such afavorite sport that elaborate bird decoyswere a carefully planned feature of pleasuregardens, the remains of which may still beseen in the ruins of old European gardens.But public sentiment in Europe as well as 156 OUR DEBT TO THE SWALLOWS in this country has so changed- that now, instead of\^ 1 snares to capture birds,> we learn of the newestdevices in artificial nests toattract and house them. In Ger-many, low-growing nesting bushesare being planted, nesting boxescarefully placed on trees, andwinter feeding houses arranged,as polite invitations to the birdsto come and settle near man.The presence of swallowsis so much desired aroundhouses in that country, thatartificial nests of clay aremade and offered them rent-free for dwellings. Thecity of Hamburg has a •Keeper of Birds appointedby the state, whose duty itis to assist in their preservation. And weof this country have our many Audubon and
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OUR DEBT TO THE SWALLOWS 157 other societies whose aim it is to helpin the conservation of our own featheredtribes. Everywhere to-day not superstitious fearof evil omens, as in the days of old, promptskindly treatment of swallows, but a true ap-preciation of their practical and aestheticvalue. Although now we may not stand infear of being stricken blind or dumb if weare tempted to injure a swallow or her nest,is it not through regard for her and herbenefits to us that we refrain ? Although inthese days we do not greet the swallowswith spring songs, as the Athenian childrenof long ago, nor preach sermons to them,like Saint Francis, may we not, with SaintGuthlac, welcome the tree swallows and thebeautiful martins with a little rush basket ora bird house carefully placed in our gardens ?May we not make a convenient opening inour modern tightly built barns for our friend,the barn swallow ? And, perhaps more help-ful than all, guard them from the prowling 158 OUR DEBT TO THE SWALLOWS cat a

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