146 BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN NEW YORK 



where it does not breed, it may be observed as a migrant near 

 large bodies of water. Its ordinary note is a harsh mono- 

 syllable. 



In western Massachusetts and in northern New England, 

 colonies, numbering frequently over fifty nests, may be 



found under the eaves of barns 

 on large farmsteads ; these colo- 

 nies are often a mile or so apart, 

 whereas the Barn Swallow in- 

 habits almost every outbuilding 

 along the road. Toward the end 

 of May, Eave Swallows are seen 

 hovering daintily over mud- 

 puddles, or flying with a pellet 

 of mud to their half-finished 

 nests. These are composed of 

 mud, and are gray when dry ; 

 they are placed outside of the 

 barn, directly under the eaves, 

 and are often retort-shaped, that 

 is, furnished with a neck bent 

 away from the round body of 

 the nest. 



The sitting female often 

 thrusts out her head, showing 

 the cream-white frontlet, and in early July, as the parents 

 fly up to the nests from below, or cling to the entrance, 

 they show the reddish-brown nun p. 



Purple Martin. Progne subis 

 8.00 



Ad. Z- — Entire body glossy blue-black ; wings and tail brown. 

 Ad. 9 . — Upper parts, wings, and tail brown, glossed on the head 

 and back with purple; throat and forehead gray; breast brown; 

 belly whitish. 



Nest, in " martin boxes." Eggs, white. 



Fig. 35. Cliff Swallow 



