85 



Uong since left their ancient breeding places, the overhanging 

 liff of rocks, and sought the habitations of men. The 

 dhimney Swallow has deserted the hollow sycamore, its 

 ancient home, for our unoccupied chinneys. The Cliff 

 .Swallow no longer frequents the shelving rock, but has 

 sought shelter under our roofs. The same may be said of 

 :the Purple Martin arid White bellied Swallow, as having 

 left the uncultivated portions of the country, to seek pro- 

 tection in a home among the habitations of men. The 

 Sand Martins are the only species which continue to 

 rear their young in the river bank. Man's civilization has 

 not as yet induced them to leave their ancient homes. 



Great changes have been observed in the appearance and dis- 

 appearance of the several species of swallows. During a period 

 of less than fitty years, the purple martin has become com- 

 paratively scarce in the eastern part of Essex County. Some 

 authors say, upon the authority of Prof. Kalm, that the pur- 

 ple martin was not seen in New England previous to the 

 Revolution. But I have examined Kalm's travels in this 

 country, and cannot find that he says anything about the 

 appearance of the Martin. It is certain they were numerous 

 in this vicinity, forty years ago, and that they are now very 

 scarce. I think it is equally certain that the Barn Swallow 

 is becoming less numerous. * One of the causes, I think, 

 which has led to this, is our modern tight barns, the poor 

 swallow being as it were, shut out of house and home. On 

 the other hand, Chimney Swallows have become very abund- 

 ant. I can distinctly remember when they were rarely seen. 

 The White-bellied Swallows have become likewise very nu- 

 merous, and as they are so quarrelsome in their habits, that 

 one pair can only agree to live together in a box, they are 

 driven sometimes to great straits, to find a doniicil. Last 

 year, discovered this bird, building in an old nest of the 

 Baltimore bird. I was greatly interested at first in this dis- 

 covery, thinking I had found at last, a new species of bird 

 in my grounds. The nest retained its old outlines, but the 

 swallow had fitted up its interior, so that it presented to me 

 a different appearance. If Mr. Darwin's theory of slave in- 

 stincts in 'animals be true, why may we not suppose that in 

 time those white-bellied swallows that cannot find accommo- 

 dations in boxes or such places as they woiild like, would 



