52 



EAVE SWALLOW 



Eave Swallow ; Cliff Swallow : Petrochelidon lunifrons. 



Forehead whitish ; crown steel-blue ; throat brown ; steel-blue 

 patch on brown breast ; tail almost square, with a light spot 

 on rump. Length, about 6 inches. 



GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION. North America, north to the 

 limit of trees ; breeds throughout its range in the United 

 States and Canada, except the south Atlantic and Gulf 

 states ; winters from Central to South America. 



If the number and variety of Swallows seem 

 confusing, go to an old barn around which the 

 birds are flying, and ex- 

 amine their adobe domi- 

 ciles. Under the eaves 

 you will find a row of 

 queer gourd-shaped mud 

 nests, hanging mouth 

 down ; and as you watch 

 you may see one of the 

 house-owners disappear in 

 a nest, disclosing as he 

 does so the light rump 



which distinguishes the Eave from all other Swal- 

 lows. 



The nest is interesting in itself, for it is made 

 of pellets of mud, rolled till they are almost 

 round ; but the most surprising thing about it is 

 the way its retort form is changed by the intelli- 

 gent builders according to the slant of the rafter 

 against which it is supported, the weight of the 

 bulge being adjusted with marvelous skill. 



FIG. 22. 

 Eave Swallow. 



