56 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The author has noticed that swallows are discouraged in most of 

 the barns which have been erected during the last fifteen years in western 

 New York. The entrance holes for these birds are apparently becoming 

 out of date ' ' and many farmers even knock down the nests of the swallows 

 which have entered through a window or the barn door and constructed 

 their nests on the rafters. We believe that every barn should be con- 

 structed with an opening for swallows to enter throughout the breeding 

 season, and even narrow ledges placed on some of the rafters to furnish 

 the birds with suitable places to attach their nests. The slight annoyance 

 of droppings from the nest can be overcome by stretching a piece of canvas 

 three or four feet in diameter beneath the nest or the suspension of a small 

 platform of half inch boards. Thus the farmyard would be tenanted by 

 twittering swallows, not only a pleasing addition to the landscape, but 

 a safeguard against the increase of noxious insects. The Eaves swallow 

 has practically disappeared in many districts of central and western New 

 York where it was a common species thirty years ago, because there is 

 no chance beneath the eaves of the barns for these birds to attach their 

 gourd-shaped nests. Farmers and bird fanciers might finally secure colonies 

 of these interesting birds by erecting a very narrow ledge not more than 

 one inch in projection beneath the eaves, running a part of the distance 

 but interrupted over the entrance door. In this way we have seen colonies 

 of the birds attracted. Although one may have to wait several years, 

 finally the birds will discover the favorable site and utilize it. 



Baron von Berlepsch has suggested and put into practice the habit 

 of trimming shrubs and the lower branches of trees in such a way that 

 they will sprout out and form suitable crotches for the attachment of 

 nests like those of our Goldfinch, Yellow warbler, Wood thrush and any 

 species which the landowner wishes to attract. This is unnecessary in 

 many localities, but where bird lovers have planted shrubbery and trees 

 for the special accommodation of birds it is worth while to practise in 

 this respect so that safe supports may be afforded these crotch-building 

 species. 



