3oo 



MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUfi. 



that, unless the Sparrows could be kept in check, there would be grave danger 

 of losing the Martins. 



In June, 1903, the Martins inhabiting eastern Massachusetts, as well as cer- 

 tain other parts of New England and portions of the Middle States, were visited 

 by a calamity, similar to that chronicled by Nuttall, but apparently even more 

 widespread and disastrous. During exceptionally heavy and protracted rains 

 they were unable to procure food for themselves or their offspring, and both 

 old and young perished by hundreds. In Middlesex County, Massachusetts, the 

 destruction was so nearly complete that only a very few birds were seen after 

 the storms had ceased, and it is not knov/n that any bred the following year.^ 

 Even at Concord, where several large colonies have existed since time imme- 

 morial, the boxes were tenanted only by House Sparrows in 1904. Many of 

 the more northern-breeding colonies of Martins were not seriously affected, 

 however, and it is to be hoped that the overflow from some of these may serve 

 in time to repopulate eastern Massachusetts. 



181. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say). 

 Cliff Swallow. Eave Swallow. 



Summer resident, formerly common, now almost gone. 



seasonal occurrence. 



April 25, 1894, two seen, Cambridge Region, W. Faxon. 



April 28 — August 25. 

 September 4, 1893, one seen (Concord), W. Brewster. 



nesting dates. 

 June s — 12. 



Like the Martin the Eave Swallow suffers directly and very seriously from 

 the encroachments of the House Sparrows who destroy its eggs or young and 

 take possession of its nest whenever opportunity offers. The Eave Swallows 

 began deserting the Cambridge Region, however, before the Sparrows over-ran 

 it. Lowell, writing of the former birds in 'My Garden Acquaintance,'^ says, 



' For a detailed and able account of this tragedy, see ' The Destruction of Birds by the Elements 

 in 1903-04,' by Mr. E. H. Forbush, printed in the ' Fifty-first Annual Report of the Massachusetts State 

 Board of Agriculture,' June lo, 1904, 457-503. 



2 J. R. Lowell, Atlantic Almanac for 1869, 1868, 37. 



