OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 99 



and even California. Mr. Dresser, however, was not able 

 to take it in any portion of Texas, and it appears not to have 

 been met with by any of the naturalists of our Western ex- 

 peditions. 



Its appearance in Eastern Pennsylvania dates from the sec- 

 ond week of May. On its arrival it frequents its old accus- 

 tomed haunts, the chimneys of occupied dwellings, where 

 it discovers greater conveniences than it formerly enjoyed. 

 By its extremely sociable nature, it has won our esteem, and 

 has so intimately associated its fortunes with man's, that its 

 loss would be keenly felt and universally bewailed. Its 

 habits are in striking contrast with those of its European 

 congeneric brethren. These display considerable shyness, 

 and shun the society of man, preferring to breed in caves, or 

 in ruined or deserted dwellings. 



Since the occupation of this county by civilized beings, 

 this species has changed most wonderfully in habits. *Its 

 primitive breeding-places have been exchanged for the cosy, 

 vet soot}- chimney ; the protection which such quarters af- 

 ford under the immediate supervision of man being the chief 

 inducement. There are localities where they still breed in 

 hollow trees as in bygone days, but such places are now 

 only occasionally occupied for roosting-purposes, in the older 

 parts of the country. In some parts of New Brunswick, 

 according to Mr. George A. Boardman, these birds still con- 

 tinue to breed in these latter places. On one occasion, the same 

 individual observed a nest constructed against a board in an 

 old winter log-house, considerably removed from any chim- 

 ney. Mr. Ridgway has found the nest in a hollow sycamore 

 tree, and also fastened securely to a plank of an outbuilding, 

 in Southeastern Illinois. In Kansas, Mr. Allen discovered 

 it breeding in hollow trees in forests, for which it manifested 

 a preference. In long-settled parts, it was compelled to re- 

 sort to chimneys, or else to abandon the country. In a 

 single instance, we have known the nest to be constructed 

 against the rafter of a deserted dilapidated outbuilding, at no 



