covering for the eggs; and the indication is fully met iu one of the very commonest
foiniis of nest, namely a liemispherical aíTaii*, quite a ‘ breastwork ’ iu fact, with a hole at
the most protuberant part, or just below it. The running on of a neck to the nest, as
seen in those nests we consider the most elaborate, seems to merely represent a surplusage
of building energy, like that which induces a ITousc-lVren, for example, to
accumulate a preposterous quantity of trash in its cubby-holes. Such architecture
reminds me of the Irishman’s notion of how cannon arc made—hy taking a hole and
])ouring the melted metal around it. It is the I'ule, when the nest is built in any exposed
situation. But since the Swallows have taken to building under eaves, or other projections
affording a degree of shelter, the bottle-necked, even tho simply globular nests
seem to he going out of fasliion ; and thousands of nests ave now built as open as those
of the Barn-Swallow, being simply half cups attached to the wall, aud in fact ehieily
distinguished from tkose of Barn-Swallows by containing little or uo hay. I suppose
this to he a piece of atavism,—a reversion to primitive ways. The Bai*n- and Eave
Swallows are our only kinds that do not (jo into a hole or its equivalent; and the
indication of shelter or covering, in all cases indispensable, being secured hy the roof
itself beneath which they nestle, the special roofing of each nest becomes superfluous.
Lloiice the open cups these Swallows now construct.
“ Considering how sedulously most hirds strive to hide thoir nests, and screen themselves
during incubation, it becomes a matter of curious speculation why these Swallows
should ever build beneath our eaves, in the most conspicuous manner, and literally fly
in the face of danger. Richardson comments on this singular and excessive confidence
in man, too often betrayed, and which cannot, on the whole, be conducive to the best
interests of their tribe, li e speaks of a colony that persisted in nesting just over a
frc(»ueiited promenade, where they had actually to graze people's heads in passing to and
from their nests, and were exposed to the curiosity and depredations of the children ;
yot they stuck to their first choice, even though there were equally eligible and far safer
lociitions just at hand. Sir John wonders what cause could have thus suddenly called
into action such confidence in the human race, and queries what peculiarity of economy
leads some birds to put their offspring in the most exposed situation they can find. Wo
have all seen the same thing, and noted the pertinacity with which these and other
Swallows will cling to their caprices, though sulijectcd to every annoyance, aud repeatedly
ejected from the premises by destruction of thoir nests. I have two notable cases in
mind. At Eort Bombiua, Dakota, a colony insisted on building beneatli the low portico
of the soldiers’ hai*racks, almost within arm’s reach. Being noisy and untidy, they were
voted a nuisance, to he abated; but it was ‘ no use ’ ; tliey stuck, and so did their nests.
In the adjoining British province of Alanitoba, at one of their trading-posts 1 visited, it
was the same thing over again ; their nests were repeatedly demolished, on account of
the racket and clatter they made, till the irate lord of the manor found it chca¡)cr iu the
end to let the birds alone, and take his chances of the moriiiug nap. I think sucli
obstinacy is due to the birds’ reluctance to give up the much-needed shelter which the
caves provide against the weatiier—indeed, this may have something to do with tho
change of habit in the beginning. Tlie ClifT-Swallow’s nest is built entirely of mud,
which, when snn-hakod into ‘ adobe,’ is secure onougli in dry weather, hut liable to he
loosened or washed away (luring a storm. In fact, this accident is of continu.al ocour-
ronce, just as it is in the case of the Ohimney-Swifts. The birds’ instinct—whatever
that may mean : I despise tho word as a laliel of our ignovanee and conceit; say rather,
tlieir reason—teaches them to come in out of the rain. This may also have something to
do with the clustering of the nests, commonly observed when the birds build on the face of
cliifs ; for obviously such a mass would witlistand the weatiier better than a single cdiflee.
“ It is pleasant to watoh the estahlishincnt and progress ot a colony of these birds.
Suddenly they appear, quite animated and enthusiastic, hut undeeided as yot, an
improm/tu debating society on the fly, with a good deal of sawing tho air to accoinplisli
before final resolutions are passed. The plot tliickeus ; some Swallows are seen clinging
to the slightest inequalities beneath the caves, others aro couriers to and from tlie
nearest mud-puddle, others again alight like feathers hy the water’s side, and all are in a
twitter ot excitement. ITateliing closely these curious sons and daughters of Israel at
their ingenious trade of making bricks, we may chance to see a circle of them gathered
around the margin of the pool, insecurely balanced on their tiny feet, tilting their tails
and ducking their heads to pick up little gobs of mud. These are rolled round in their
mouths till tempered, and made like a quid into globular form, with a curious working
of their jaws ; then off go the birds, and stick the pellet against the wall, as cavrfnlly a.s
ever a sailor, about to spin a yarn, deposited his chew on the mantelpiece. The hirds
work indefatigahly; they are busy as bees, and a steady stream flows hack and forth lor
several hours a day, with intervals for rest and refreshment, when the Swallows swarm
about promiscuously a-fly-catching. In an incredibly short time the basement of the
nest is laid, and tlie whole form becomes clearly outlined ; the mud dries quickly, and
there is a standing-plaee. This is soon occupied by ouo ot the pair, probably the female,
who now stays at home to welcome her mate with redoubled cries of joy aud ecstatic
quivering of the wings, as he brings fresh pellets, whieh the pair, in the closest consultation,
dispose to their entire satisfaction. In three or four days, perhaps, the deed is done;
the house is built, and nothing remains Imt to furnish it. The poultry-yard is visited,
and laid under contribution of feathers ; liay, leaves, rag, paper, string—Swallows are not
very particular—may ho added; and then the female doi's the rest ot the ‘ furnishing'
by her own particular self. Not impossibly, just at this period, a man comes with a
pole, and dcmolislies tho whole affair ; or the eufuut tembló of tlie premises appears, and
removes the eggs to enrich his sandy tray of like treasures ; or a tom-cat searches for
his supper. But more probably matters are so propitious that in due season the nest
decants a full brood of Swallows, and I wish nothing more harmful over came out of
the bottle.
“ Seeing how these birds work tho mud iu tlieir uioutlis, some have sujiposed tliat
the nests are agglutinated, to some extent at least, by the saliva of tlio birds. It is far