9 



must have occupied in these instances the deserted nests of other Swallows. This brino-s 

 up Nuttall's early testimony to the same effect, and makes it seem much more probable — 

 if it may not indeed be regarded as confirmatory — though he or Townsend certainly tiot 

 hold of the wrong egg, a drawing of which subsequently came into Dr. Brewer's posses- 

 sion through Audubon. We should expect the Violet-greens, on yielding to civilization, 

 to come to terms in the same way the Mai'tins and A^liite-bellies have, by occupying' 

 boxes set up for their use, or else to enter knot-holes or the crevices behind weather- 

 boards, as the Wrens ; but that their habits will be modified in some way, and at no 

 distant day, there is no reasonable doubt. With whicli understanding, I leave the wilful 

 and capricious little creatures to enjoy their hermitages, whether of tree or rock, as long 

 as they please." 



The descriptions have been drawn up from the series in the British Museum, and 

 the figures have been drawn by Mr. Wyatt from specimens in tlic Salvin-Godman 

 collection. 



