This story depicts the problems encountered by a colony of purple martins at migration time. The setting of the story is the city of Mobile, Alabama. It is summertime and the date for their migration back to Brazil is fast approaching. Neither of the mother martinas chicks will be old enough to fly at the traditional departure time. Two hurricanes interfere with the plans of the colony leader. This interference results in delaying the colonyas departure, thereby saving the chicksa lives.