THE VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. 



347 



iiKjuire his l)usiness. Not, however, that these lovely creatures are either 

 meddlesome or shrewish. Even when the nest is threatened by the strange 

 presence, the birds seem unable to form any conception of harm, and pursue 

 their wa\' in sunny disregard. Especially pleasing to the eye is the pure wliite 



of the bird's underparts, rising high 

 on flanks and cheeks and sharply 

 contrasting with the pattern of \'io- 

 let and green, in such fashion that, if 

 Nature had invited us to "remold it 

 nearer ti) the heart's desire,'' we 

 must have declined the task. 



Before the advent of the white 

 man upon Puget Sound, these birds 

 commonly nested in deserted wood- 

 pecker holes and in natural cavities 

 of trees, while upon the East-side 

 they nested (and still do to a large 

 extent) upon the granite or lava 

 clififs. In the last-named situations 

 they utilize the rocky clefts and in- 

 accessible crannies, and are espec- 

 ially fond of the smaller \apor holes 

 which cliaracterize the basaltic for- 

 mations. Favorable circumstances 

 may attract a considerable colony, to the number of a hundred pairs or more. 

 but even so it is not easy to find a getatable nest. If one is able to reach the 

 actual nesting site, the mouth of the ancient gas-\ent which the birds have 

 chosen for a home may ])rove too small to admit the hand. 



Thruout the State, however, and especially upon the West-side, these 

 exquisite birds are forsaking their ancient haunts and claiming protection of 

 men. Already they have become common in larger cities, where they occupy 

 bird-boxes and crannies of buildings. South Tacoma, being nearest to their 

 old oak nurseries, is quite given over to them, and it is a pretty sight on a 

 sunny day in April to see them fluttering about the cottages inspecting knot- 

 holes and rec'essed gables or, in default of such conv-eniences, daintily voicing 

 their disapproval of such neglect on the part of careless humans. 



In these birds and in the Barn Swallows, the well known twittering and 

 creaking notes of Swallows most nearly approach the dignity of song. 

 Indeed, Mr. Rathbun contends tliat the song heard at close quarters is a 

 really credital:)le aftair, varied, vivacious, and musical. 



The Violet-greens are somewhat less hardy or venturesome than the Tree 

 Swallows, arriving usually during the last week in March. Last year's 



Taken in Oregon. Photo by Finlcy and Bohhnan. 



YOUNG VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. 



