Hugh Jennings wrote:

>Another question for the
experts, is why do the swallows flutter their wings when at a puddle to
pick
up mud? >

As a non-expert willing to speculate, they probably flutter to help
keep their balance. Swallows have really dinky legs and feet,
designed mainly as little hooks for hanging vertically. When they
are on the ground and leaning forward, they probably don't feel
stable enough. We're talking Cliff Swallows here?

Chris Maack
Anchorage, AK
CMaack at compuserve.com