COTYLE RIPARIA — THE BANK SWALLOW. 271 



parison not exhibiting any appreciable difference. These 

 birds are common in the neighborhood of cities, wherever 

 there are sandy banks or bluffs of a sufficiently firm struc- 

 ture in which to dig holes for their nests. The nests were 

 abundant, a few years ago, in many sand banks in Cleve- 

 land, particularly in the one on Columbus street, above 

 the bridge. That is now deserted, but there are still a 

 number near the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Rail- 

 road, on the same street. They are also numerous in the 

 banks above the old river bed. 



These poor birds are much persecuted by idle boys, who 

 rob their nests and otherwise molest them, and this is a 

 great pity, as they are very useful in capturing the insects 

 that are always abundant in our gardens. Would-be sports- 

 men often try their skill in shooting at them, but luckily, 

 from their swiftness of wing, none but the really good 

 marksman will be apt to hit them, and true sportsmen dis- 

 dain such small game. 



The Bank Swallows visit us a week or two before the 

 other swallows ai^pear in the spring. Mr. Audubon says 

 they winter in Louisiana, where he discovered them pur- 

 suing their insect prey over the rivers and streams. 

 Their flight is light and graceful, and their low twitter 

 quite musical. 



The holes in which the nests are placed are usually near 

 the top of a bank, and about three feet in depth, with a 

 slight upward slope, and enlarged at the farther end for 

 the accommodation of the nest and birds- There are usu- 

 ally two broods in a season. The eggs number from five 

 to seven. Both parents assist in digging the hole, their 

 bills and feet being the only implements. When the young 

 are nearly full grown, they may often be seen sitting at 

 the mouth of the hole, where they are fed by the parents. 

 Both sexes assist in the labor of incubation, and are greatly 

 attached to their eggs and young, exhibiting much anxiety 

 when these are molested. 



