THE BARN SWALLOW. ANS) 
here is hardly needed. About the 10th of May, after the 
birds have paired, they commence building; or sometimes 
the same couple begin repairing the nest of the preceding 
year or years, as the same nest 
is occupied several seasons. It is 
built in the eaves of houses or 
barns, or on rafters of barns and 
other buildings. Itis constructed 
outwardly of a strong shell of 
pellets of mud, which are plas- 
tered together, and, as Nuttall 
says, ‘tempered with fine hay, 
and rendered more adhesive by 
the glutinous saliva of the bird.” This nest is built out 
and up until the top is about horizontal, and then lined with 
a layer of fine grass or hay, which is covered with loose 
feathers. This bird is fond of society, often as many as 
twenty nests being in the same eaves. The eggs are 
usually four in number, sometimes five: they are of a 
nearly pure-white color, with a slight roseate tint; and are 
spotted more or less thickly with fine dots of two shades of 
brown, reddish, and purplish. The dimensions of four eggs, 
collected in Upton, Me., are .76 by .56 inch, .70 by .52 
inch, .76 by .52 inch, .69 by .53 inch. ‘The largest speci- 
men, in a great number, is .78 by .57 inch; the smallest, 
.67 by .50 inch. Two broods, and sometimes three, are 
reared in the season. The period of incubation is thirteen 
days. 
About the first week in September, the old and young 
birds of different families gather in immense flocks; and, 
after remaining about the marshes near the seacoast for a 
few days, they leave for their winter homes. 
