318 OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



Martins appear to be in this case more than a match for the Sparrows, for after a 

 contention lasting rarely more than three or four days, always succeed in effectually 

 expelling the intruders. 



The first brood of young is hatched some time during the latter part of May, and 

 the second about four or five weeks later. After the young of the earliest brood leave 

 the nest which event occurs ordinarily about the middle of June the Martins every 

 year congregate almost daily in the main streets of Wooster, roosting at night chiefly 

 under the eaves of the higher buildings, wherever suitable places are available. These 

 gatherings vary from ten to one hundred birds, reaching their maximum size in the 

 latter part of July and the first part of August, after which time they gradually 

 diminish. They are at first to a large extent composed of young birds and adult 

 males. Until August the birds are observed to alight principally on the telegraph 

 wires and the cornices of the higher buildings, but subsequently they appear to much 

 prefer the court-house and its tall weathervaned tower. They are most. active between 

 sunset and dark, and their cackling cry may at this hour be almost incessantly heard. 

 1 hey grow somewhat less noisy as the season advances, but so long as they remain 

 do not usually become entirely silent. 



The Martin is one of the first birds astir in the morning, and in May its note is 

 frequently to be heard by half-past three o'clock. 



This species has been seen to pursue and to all appearances greatly annoy the 

 Redtailed Hawk, but for just what purpose was not apparent. 



GENUS PETROCHELIDON CABAMS 



131. Petrochelidon lunifrons (SAY). 

 Cliff Swallow. 



A common summer resident, but very locally distributed during the breeding 

 season. It arrives between the middle of April and the first of May, the earliest date 

 being April 16 (1893). It seems to practically disappear early in August, and has 

 not been observed later than the twenty-fifth of this month (1890). It has been 

 observed associated with no other species save the Barn Swallow. 



Only one breeding colony of any considerable size has been noted ; this having 

 been tenanted continuously for a number of years. 



Incubation of the first complement of eggs begins about the middle of May ; of 

 the second about five weeks later. 



GENUS CHELIDON FORSTER. 



132. Chelidon erythrogastra (BODD.). 

 Earn Swallow. 



An abundant summer resident. It arrives usually about April 20, but in 1893 

 Avas first seen on April 9. It remains until late in August, not, however, having 

 been noted after the twenty-fifth of this month. 



The breeding season begins about the middle of May, and commonly continues 

 until July, two broods being probably reared. 



On June 17, 1891, there was discovered in a barn the remains of a nest that had 

 fallen from the side of the rafter to which it had been secured ; this accident having 

 of course resulted in the death of the young birds. The parents, nothing daunted, 

 -were constructing a second nest in exactly the same location, and on July i the female 

 was found sitting upon two incubated eggs. 



