8o NESTS AND EGGS OF N. A. BIRDS. 



The nest is loosely constructed of leaves, straws, twigs, bits of 

 string, rags and paper. The eggs, four or five and sometimes six 

 in number are of an oblong-oval shape, are pointed at one end and 

 pure white. They average .97 by .68. 



152a. PROGNE SUBIS CRYPTOLEUCA, 



CUBAN MARTIN. '* 



153. PETROCHELIDON LUNIFRONS. 



CLIFF SWALLOW. 



Habitat, North America at large. 



They are often found in colonies during the breeding season and 

 build their nests on the outside of buildings, and under eaves In 

 uninhabited regions the nests are placed against a vertical or over- 

 hanging rock. 



The nests of the Eave Swallow are composed entirely of mud, 

 tempered by the bill of the bird, and deposited in its position as a 

 little pillet. They are retort-shaped, the nest proper being almost 

 closed in between the top of the wall and the projecting eave or 

 cornice, and the opening built out for several inches to form the 

 neck of the flask or retort. The cavity is large, and well lined 

 with bits of straw, feathers and wool. The eggs are white, mark- 

 ed with dots, blotches and points of reddish-brown, chiefly about 

 the greater end. They are less elongated than those of the Barn 

 Swallow, and in seventy five specimens of each before me, the mark- 

 ings of the two are hardly distinguishable. In length they vary 

 from .75 to .87, and their average breadth is .60." 



154. HIRUNDO ERYTHROGASTRA. 



BARN SWALLOW. 



Common throughout the whole of North America. 



This swallow, as its name implies, builds its nests in the interior 

 of a barn, under the roof, attached to the beams and rafters. 



They also breed in caves, crevices of rocks and under the sides of 

 wooden bridges. The nest is composed of mud, small sticks, twigs 

 and straws, lined with fine grasses, and feathers. 



