THE VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. 



347 



iiuiuire his business. Not, however, tliat tliese lo\-ely creatures are eitlier 

 meddlesome or shrewish. Even wlien tlie nest is threatened by tlie strange 

 presence, the birds seem unable to form any conception of harm, and pursue 

 their wav in sunnv disregard. I'.specially pleasing to the eye is the pure white 



of the bird's underparts, rising high 

 on flanks and cheeks and sharpl\- 

 contrasting with the pattern of vio- 

 let and green, in such fashion that, if 

 Xature had invited us to "remold it 

 nearer to the heart's desire," we 

 must have declined the task. 



Before the advent of the while 

 man upon Puget Sound, these birds 

 <-rimmonly nested in deserted wood- 

 pecker holes and in natural cavities 

 wf trees, while upon the East-side 

 I hey nested (and still do to a large 

 extent) upon the granite or la\-a 

 cliffs. In the last-named situations 

 they utilize the rocky clefts and in- 

 accessible crannies, and are espec- 

 ially fond of the smaller vapor holes 

 which characterize the basaltic for- 

 mations. Favorable circumstances 

 ma_\- attract a considerable colony, to the number of a hundred pairs or more, 

 but even so it is not easy to find a getatable nest. If one is able to reach the 

 actual nesting site, the mouth of the ancient gas-vent which the birds have 

 chosen for a home may ])rove too small to admit the hand. 



Thruout the State, however, and especially ui>on the West-side, these 

 excjuisite birds are forsaking their ancient haunts and claiming protection of 

 men. Already they have become common in larger cities, where they occujiy 

 bird-boxes and crannies of buildings. South Tacoma, being nearest to their 

 old oak nurseries, js quite given over to them, and it is a pretty sight on a 

 sunny day in April to see them fluttering about the cottages inspecting knot- 

 holes and recessed gables or, in default of such conveniences, daintily voicing 

 their disapproval of such neglect on the part of careless humans. 



In these birds and in the Barn Swallows, the well known twittering and 

 creaking notes of Swallows most nearly approach the dignity of song. 

 Indeed, Mr. Rathbun contends that the song heard at close quarters is a 

 really creditalile affair, varied, vivacious, and musical. 



The \'iolet-greens are somewhat less hardy or venturesome than the Tree 

 Swallows, arriving usuallv during the last week in March. Last \ear's 



Taken in Oregon. Photo by Finlcy and Bolilm 



YOUNG VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. 



