1908] BIBDS : 41 



destroy more insects in a season than all the English Sparrows in 

 a township will kill in their life-time." Recent investigations con- 

 ducted by the U. S. Dept. of Agr. have proven that the swallows 

 -are valuable in the destruction of the Cotton-boll Weevil. 



612. Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons). One specimen. 

 .Not so well known in this state as in some other parts of the country. 



Geog. Dist. North America, north to the limit of trees. 



W. Va. Dist. Not common. Mr. Jacobs speaks of seeing large 

 flocks of these birds on the 23rd of August, 1897, near Morgantown. 

 The writer has seen Cliff Swallows a few times as they seemed to 

 be passing over this state on their migration flights. I have heard 

 of a few pairs nesting in West Virginia, but the records are not 

 authentic, with the single exception of Scott's record of the nesting 

 of this species in Kanawha County. 



Nest Pocket-shaped nests of mud on the sides of a cliff or under 

 the eaves of a barn. 



Food "The benefits derived from this bird appear to be much 

 greater than any injury it may do in eating parasitic insects. M 

 (See "Birds in Their Relation to Man" by Weed and Dearborn, 

 -p. 128, 9.) 



613. Barn Swallow (Hirundo erythrog aster} . Male and female. 

 Geog. Dist. North America in general, breeding from the Fur 



Countries south into Mexico. Winters in South America. 



W. Va. Dist. Very common in all parts of the state. 



Nest Of mud and grass attached to the rafter of a barn or other 

 out-building. Four to six spotted eggs. 



Food Among our most useful birds as they feed largely on 

 harmful insects. 



614. Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). Male and female. 

 Geog. Dist. North America at large. 



W. Va. Dist. Not very common in parts of the state. Quito 

 common in Upshur County. Rare along the Ohio Valley. West 

 Virginia records made bj r Surber, Doan, and Brewster. 



Nest In a hollow tree or bird-box. 



Food Eats many dragon flies. Some fruit. 



616. Bank Swallow (Clivicola riparia). A pair. Look for this 

 little swallow along the banks of large streams. Not to be confused 

 with the next species. 



