PASSERES HIRUNDINID.E 161 



the insects that fly a good deal, catching them in mid-air. 

 These swallows are much liked by intelligent stock farmers 

 and dairymen, for they keep in check the flies that annoy 

 the herds and milch cows. 



The Cliff Swallow appears at Oberlin during the last 

 week in April. It leaves its nesting-places early in July 

 and is gone south by the last of September. 



222. (613.) HIRUNDO ERYTHROGASTER Bodd. 78. 

 Barn Swallow. 



Synonyms: Hirundo rufa, H. horreorum, H. erythrogaster var. 



horreorum, Chelidon erythrogastra. 

 Fork-tailed Barn Swallow, American Barn Swallow, House 



Swallow. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 162. 



This is the most common and familiar of our swallows, 

 always remembering that the Chimney Swift is not a swal- 

 low. While it is not in such great numbers as the Vesper 

 Sparrow, it may be fairly called abundant in practically all 

 parts of the state as a summer resident. It nests in barns 

 or almost any large out-building, or unused house ; or under 

 bridges. There is no record of the nests of this species 

 under cliffs or in caves, as its habit was before civilized man 

 appeared in America. In Oberlin the Barn Swallow is a 

 familiar bird, nesting in any barn that may be left open for 

 it. One may see them flying about the streets catching in- 

 sects at any time of day, during the summer. 



This swallow frequently gleans from the grass tops, as it 

 skims along without apparent effort. House flies are also 

 eaten, as well as the species of dancing flies which annoy 

 the wheelman. 



The appearance of Barn Swallows in spring largely de- 

 pends upon the weather. They are such strong fliers that 

 they may venture north for a single day early in March, 

 during one of the spring-like days which are pretty sure to 

 come, or they may tarry south until early April. The most 

 have gone south by the first of September, but individuals 

 usually remain until the last week in September. 



