THE BARN SWALLOW. 109

the parents, by their actions and twitter-
ings, entice them out of the nest, to ex-
ercise their wings within the barn, where
they sit in rows amid the timbers of the
roof, or huddle closely together in cool or
rainy weather for warmth. At length they
venture out with their parents, and may
be seen on trees, bushes, or fence-rails,
near places where they can obtain food.
They are often fed while on the wing,
without either bird alighting. The Barn
Swallow is about seven inches in length.
The upper plumage and a band on the
breast are steel-blue in color; beneath it
is a chestnut-brown. The tail is forked.