SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, USA - Have you heard the song, "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" or ever wondered if the story is true of the annual migration to California's well-known Mission San Juan Capistrano? Once a year the return of the migratory visitors is celebrated at the mission. Here's a charming story and legend shared with me by the folks at the mission.

Since the beginning of time, the swallows have returned to the San Juan Capistrano Mission annually to build their nests. The return was recorded by missionaries in the late 1700s. However, there is evidence to support the fact the birds nested in silt-stone cliffs near the ocean long before there was a mission.

The first published account of the swallows appeared in 1930 in a book called Capistrano Nights. In it, Acu, an old mission bell ringer, tells Father St. John O'Sullivan about the legend of the swallows:

"They say, padre, that when the swallows go away from here at summer's end they fly to Jerusalem and stay there through the winter. I don't know why, but that is what people say. After that, they come back here again for the Feast of St. Joseph and to build their little houses in the mission."

"But Acu," said Father O'Sullivan, "between here and Jerusalem there is a great ocean. How can they fly so far without getting tired and falling into the water?"

"You see, padre," he replied, "they carry with them in their beaks a little twig of a tree. When they get tired flying across the ocean, the put the twig on the water and alight upon it and rest themselves."

The Return

The story that the swallows return to their nesting places on the walls and arches of the Mission on March 19th each year is not quite accurate. The swallows do return to southern California faithfully each spring from their winter home in South America. However, the date of the return varies according to the weather.

The Mission, however, annually opens its doors to welcome the public to the "Swallow's Day" celebration. Throughout the festival, entertainment, dancing, basket making, spinning, weaving, and bead work activities take place. Living history characters walk among the guests and blacksmiths, saddle makers, and woodworking craftspeople provide demonstrations while ropers demonstrate their skills.

Among the day's activities, Native American craftspeople display their work, Mariachis play, food and refreshments are served, and Native American baskets, beadwork, and crafts are sold. And, yes, talented performers sing and perform the lilting When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano music throughout the celebration.

For additional information about the Mission San Juan Capristrano, call 714-240-8091.