BIRDS OF KANSAS 



67 



the Cliff Swallows, as the mated pairs often nest alone, 

 and never in very large communities. They are social 

 birds, and, while mated, strongly attached to each other, 

 the male often feeding his mate as she patiently and lov- 

 ingly sits upon her treasures, and he also assists in rearing 

 the young. Their song is but a succession of sharp, 

 squeaky, warbling twitterings, at times quite animated 

 and pleasing; their call note a simple twit. 



Their nests are attached to the sides of rafters in barns 

 and suitable places in outbuildings, under bridges, etc., 

 and, in the unsettled portions of the country, under over- 

 hanging rocks and in the fissures or cavern-like cavities. 

 A semi-cup-shaped structure, rather roughly constructed 

 of layers of mud and grasses, and lined with the finer 

 grasses and feathers. Eggs three to six (usually four), 

 .7Yx.55; pure translucent white, spotted and blotched 

 with purple and varying shades of dark reddish brown, 

 and, occasionally, lilac stains, usually aggregating thick- 

 est about the larger end; in form, oval. 



XTI.— AMEBIC A:N GOLDEINCH. 



Spiniis tristis (Linist.). 



Eesident; abundant in winter; quite common in sum- 

 mer. Begin laying late in June to middle of July. 

 They nest late, in order that the seeds upon wdiich they 

 chiefly raise their young may form and begin to mature 

 by the time the little ones are hatched. 



Habitat. Temperate N^orth America generally. 



Iris dark brown; bill, terminal half of ridge dusky, 

 rest straw color; legs and feet light brown; claws a 

 shade darker. 



