49 



Hough-winged Swallows have taken up their abodes in 

 buildings built by man. Even the Bank Swallow commonly 

 nests in holes in banks where men are constantly at work 

 digging; and the Rough-winged species often makes its 

 homes among the stones of bridge foundations. Barn Swal- 

 lows nest within our barns, Eave or Cliff Swallows make 

 their homes under the eaves, Tree Swallows live in little 

 bird houses nailed to the sides of buildings or holes in our 

 orchard trees and Purple Martins live in colonies, often in 

 very large, elaborate, many-roomed houses topping poles 

 set on lawns. No other class of birds has become so almost- 

 domesticated as the swallows. 



Swallows are always sociable; they sometimes nest in 

 very large colonies and always in as large numbers as the 

 locality will support or furnish sites for. Of course it is 

 more difficult for Tree Swallows to find a sufficient number 

 of suitable cavities for many to nest near together, but 1 

 have found a half dozen pairs of these nesting in one 

 orchard. 



The illustration in which part of the bank has been cut 

 away gives a perfect idea of the nesting of Bank Swallows. 

 The little tunnel goes horizontally in for about two feet 

 and is then enlarged to make room for the feather-lined, 

 grass nest. The four or five eggs are pure white without 

 markings. 



