SWALLOW VISITORS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20065, 23 March 1935, Page 13

SWALLOW VISITORS

BIG FLIGHT TAKES REFUGE ON SHIP’S DECK When the ship called Largs Bay was making a trip to Australia she became the temporary home for thousands of terrified swallows. These birds, travelling southward from Europe, were attacked by sparrow hawks over the Red Sea and they fluttered on to the passing liner. They perched on every available space in the deck cabins, and perched themselves on the chairs and tables while the passengers were having their meals. They even perched on the shoulders of the helmsman at the wheel, as if they knew that, under the care of the strange beings who ran this piece of floating land, they would be safe. The hawks were so tenacious that they attacked the chief officer and killed some canaries kept as pets. Eventually the hawks left the ship, but the swallows remained. For two days they stayed in their temporary haven, and then left the ship in a body and flew on and on until they disappeared on the horizon, the Indian Ocean beneath them and the shores of India beckoning them many miles away. LITTLE FEATHERED FRIENDS Dear little feathered friends, Whistling, blithe and gay; Telling all your little mates You’ve had a busy day. Gathering fresh straws and moss With twigs and old dead leaves, To build yourself a nice warm nest There underneath the eaves.

Winter’s come so you must hide From biting frost and rain, But I’ll look forward to the Spring When I’ll hear you again. (3 Marks and a Merit Card awarded to Georgina Constable, Temuka).