Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Swallows Return To Capistrano
Swallows Return Day
Reading Comprehension for March 19
What are the signs that tell you spring is on the way? Some people look for robins. Some people look for the first crocus or daffodil. If you live near San Juan Capistrano in California, you look for swallows.
The famous Capistrano cliff swallows leave every fall around October 23 to fly south to the country of Argentina in South America. Every year, they return to the old mission around March 19. When the flock is sighted, the bells ring, and the fiesta celebration begins.
You might wonder why the swallows come to the mission. There is a legend that explains it. San Juan Capistrano was founded as a mission in 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra. It was one of a string of twenty-one missions across California. Serra named it after the religious crusader St. John Capistrano.
