1 88 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



t 



ings repeated in a very rapid and animated manner. 

 When alighted, the song is slower and less anima- 

 ted, but none the less pleasing. The following syl- 

 lables give a tolerably accurate representation: 

 tivlt-ti-tl-tl. Its ordinary call is simply twit. 



Dr. Brewer affirms in " North American Birds" 

 that "a striking peculiarity of these nests (Barn 

 Swallows'), is frequently an extra platform built 

 against but distinct from the nest itsejf; designed 

 as a roosting place for the parents; used by one 

 during incubation at night or when not engaged 

 in procuring food, and both when the young are 

 big enough to occupy the whole nest." We have 

 no reason to doubt the above facts, coming as 

 they do from so eminent authority. The existence 

 of such an appendage may be a noticeable feature 

 of the nest in certain sections; but our experience 

 has been different. When a nest is fastened to the 

 horizontal timber of a building, and in unexposed 

 situations, there seems to be no necessity for such 

 an appurtenance; but in the absence of suitable 

 protection and convenience, it may serve a pur- 

 posed 



The eggs are white with a roseate tinge in un- 

 blown specimens, and are marked with reddish 

 and purplish-brown spots chiefly at the larger end. 

 Their mean length is .77, and mean breadth .55 of 

 an inch, 



Tachydneta tricolor, Vieill. 

 The White-bellied .Swallow, unlike the species 



