346 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



habit, lireeding there exclusively in martin-boxes, and rarely, if ever, nesting 

 in hollow trees, — a fact perhaps attributable to the scarcity of these opportu- 

 nities along the sea-coast, where this bird is principally found. In Western 

 Massachusetts, Mr. Allen states them to be not very common and the least 

 abundant of the Swallows. Any sheltered and accessible box, however rough 

 it may be, will answer its purpose, whether the more elaborate martin-house, 

 or a mere candle-box with an open end. Mr. Audubon has known them to 

 drive away a Barn Swallow from its nest, and to take possession, but this 

 was probably exceptional. In one case, two small houses for birds put up in 

 the same yard were taken possession of by a single pair of Swallows, and 

 nests built in each ; only one, however, of these was made use of. Whether 

 this freak was the result of indecision or from a grasping selfishness, it is 

 not possible to conclude, but apparently the former. 



In the rural districts, even on the coast, these birds are not so abundant as 

 in the cities, as in the latter they are less annoyed by other birds. The com- 

 mon Eobin is often especially aggressive, seeking to drive them off Ids as- 

 sumed premises. In one instance the Eobin has been known to station him- 

 self on a platform in front of its nest for hours, and persistently refuse to 

 permit its visits. Assistance was sought, and all the Swallows in the neigh- 

 borhood came to the rescue. They sailed with angry cries over the liead of 

 the offender, at times darting down upon him as if to strike at him, but 

 accomplishing nothing. The besieger maintained his ground until the writer 

 intervened and drove him away, when the Swallows once more took posses- 

 sion, and fed their hungry nestlings in peace. 



This species breeds from about latitude 38° to the extreme northern regions, 

 and along the Arctic seas, wherever facilities for nesting are found. Eichard- 

 son found them breeding in hollow trees on the Mackenzie Eiver, in latitude 

 65°. Everywhere on both coasts they are very common, but are less numer- 

 ous in tlie interior. Mr. Dall found it in Alaska from Fort Yukon to the sea. 

 It was known to the Eussians as the Eiver Swallow. It was also met with 

 in Sitka, by Bischoif. It has not been observed in Greenland. 



During the breeding-season this species is more quarrelsome than any of 

 its kindred, and is often more than a match for larger birds. Coming earlier 

 in the season than the Purple Martin, it will often intrude itself into its 

 premises and maintain possession. They are devotedly attached to their off- 

 spring, and bewail any accidents to them or any threatened peril. The same 

 pair will return year after year to the same premises, and they soon become 

 on familiar terms with the members of a family they frequently meet, so 

 much so as to watch, when they have received materials for their nests, for a 

 further supply, and will fly close to the person from wliom they receive them. 

 A pair which had thus, year after year, received sujjplies of feathers for their 

 nests from tlie younger members of the family in whose yard their nest was 

 built, would almost take them from the hands of their providers. This pair 

 sat so close as to permit themselves to be taken from their nest, and when 



