THE CLIFF-SWALLOW. 123 



shape. The old birds continue building above 

 the broken bits, and when the nest is finished, it 

 has the appearance of an adobe with porches. 



When a colony of swallows has taken posses- 

 sion of a barn-loft, or the side of a barn, under the 

 eaves, it seems as though all take a hand in the 

 building, no particular pair at any certain nest. 

 But when nearly finished, a single female takes 

 possession and lays her eggs. 



We have not seen the eggs left alone for a single 

 moment. When either bird is off the nest, the 

 mate takes its place. If a colony be disturbed, 

 all the birds fly anxiously about, snapping their 

 beaks and begging to be left in peace. The swal- 

 lows took possession of a phcebe's nest, last year, 

 under our barn-eaves. In this same nest the 

 linnets had -reared two broods. 



Some people object to having swallows about 

 their homes, but we love them. A little fresh 

 paint will make the side of a stable look as good 

 as new, and one can endure the untidy appear- 

 ance for just a few weeks for the fun there is in 

 watching the birds. Nothing is more interest- 

 ing on a warm day than to lie on one's back on 

 the hay-mow and watch the swallows. Lacking 

 the hay-mow, one can lie in a hammock or on the 

 grass and watch a colony on the north side of the 



