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covering for the eggs ; aud the indication is fully met in one of the very commonest 

 forms of nest, namely a hemispherical affair, quite a ' breastwork ' iu fact, with a hole at 

 the most protuberant part, or just below it. The running on of a neck to the nest, as 

 seen in those nests we consider the most elaborate, seems to merely represent a sur- 

 plusage of building energy, like that which induces a House- Wren, for example, to 

 accumulate a preposterous quantity of trash in its cubby-holes. Such architecture 

 reminds me of the Irishman's notion of how cannon are made — by taking a hole and 

 pouring the melted metal around it. It is the rule, when the nest is built in any exposed 

 situation. But since the Swallows have taken to building under eaves, or other pro- 

 jections affording a degree of shelter, the bottle-necked, even the simply globular nests 

 seem to be going out of fashion ; and thousands of nests are now built as open as those 

 of the Barn-Swallow, being simply half cups attached to the wall, and in fact chiefly 

 distinguished from those of Barn-Swallows by containing little or no hay. I suppose 

 this to be a piece of atavism, — a reversion to primitive ways. The Barn- and Eave 

 Swallows are our only kinds that do not go into a hole or its equivalent ; and the 

 indication of shelter or covering, in all cases indispensable, being secured by the roof 

 itself beneath which they nestle, the special roofing of each nest becomes superfluous. 

 Hence the open cups these Swallows now construct. 



" Considering how sedulously most birds strive to hide their nests, and screen them- 

 selves during incubation, it becomes a matter of curious speculation why these Swallows 

 should ever build beneath our eaves, in the most conspicuous manner, and literally fly 

 in the face of danger. Richardson comments on this singular and excessive confidence 

 in man, too often betrayed, and which cannot, on the whole, be conducive to the best 

 interests of their tribe. He speaks of a colony that persisted in nesting just over a 

 frequented promenade, where they had actually to graze people's heads in passing to and 

 from their nests, and were exposed to the curiosity and depredations of the children ; 

 yet they stuck to their first choice, even though there were equally eligible and far safer 

 locations just at hand. Sir John wonders what cause could have thus suddenly called 

 into action such confidence in the human race, and queries what peculiarity of economy 

 leads some birds to put their offspring in the most exposed situation they can find. We 

 have all seen the same thing, and noted the pertinacity with which these and other 

 Swallows will cling to their caprices, though subjected to every annoyance, and repeatedly 

 ejected from the premises by destruction of their nests. I have two notable cases in 

 mind. At Fort Pembina, Dakota, a colony insisted on building beneath the low portico 

 of the soldiers' barracks, almost within arm's reach. Being noisy and untidy, they were 

 voted a nuisance, to be abated ; but it was ' no use ' ; they stuck, and so did their nests. 

 In the adjoining British province of Manitoba, at one of their trading-posts I visited, it 

 was the same thing over again ; their nests were repeatedly demolished, on account of 

 the racket and clatter they made, till the irate lord of the manor found it cheaper in the 

 end to let the birds alone, and take his chances of the morning nap. I think such 

 obstinacy is due to the birds' reluctance to give up the much-needed shelter which the 



