274 WASTE-LAND WANDERINGS. 



As summer swallows darting through the air, or light- 

 ly skimming the rippling surface of the sparkling waters, 

 this pretty species presents no peculiarity not common 

 to the tribe. It is its nesting habits alone that make 

 the bird so very interesting. Dr. Brewer states that 

 " the nests of this swallow, when built on the side of a 

 cliff or in any exposed position, are constructed in the 

 shape of a retort . . . since they have sought the shelter 

 of man and built under the eaves of barns and houses, 

 the old style of their nests has been greatly changed, 

 and the retort-like shape has nearly disappeared." 



Early or late in April, for very much depends upon 

 rain-storms, sure to occur during this uncertain month, 

 the cliff swallows return. Not a few at a time, and day 

 by day the colony increasing in numbers, but promptly, 

 unitedly. Yesterday the bridge was silent as a tomb ; 

 to-day it fairly trembles with the excited chattering of 

 their united voices. 



A word concerning early swallows. It has caused 

 much hasty comment to speak of swallows appearing in 

 New Jersey as early as March. Is a March swallow 

 such a rara avis ? Turnbull says of the sand-martin : 

 " Not uncommon on the high bank of a river or the sea- 

 shore, arriving early in March, and leaving about the 

 middle of October." 



And of the white-bellied swallow the same excellent 

 authority remarks : " Rather plentiful. Comes late in 

 March, and leaves early in September." 



Unlike the warblers or finches, there is no possibility 

 of mistaking swallows for other birds ; nor need they 

 be slaughtered to be identified. Any country school- 



