and then with soft feathers from the poultry-yard, some of wliich usually project above tlie run of the 

 nest. 



The late Dr. T. M. Brewer, in "Birds of Xortli America," mentions as an occasional peculiarity 

 of this nest, a platform built above the cavity, which serves as a resting-place for the parents. This 

 addition to the ordinary method of construction I have, however, never seen. The diameter of the 

 average nest at the widest part is about five and one-half inches. The distance from the rim to the 

 lowest part is about four and three-quarters inches. The diameter of the cavity about two and three- 

 quarters inches. The depth of cavity about one inch. A very deep nest in my possession measures six 

 and one-half inches from the rim to the lowest point; another is barely two and one-half inches between 

 the same points, but is seven inches in diameter across the rim longitudinally, and four inches trans- 

 versely. A nest taken from the upper surface of a beam approaches in outline a section of a cylinder. 

 Its diameter is five and one-half inches ; its height two inches. The cavity is two and one-halt inches 

 wide and one inch deep. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs is from four to six, usually five. They are deposited daily or at intervals 

 of two or three days. Thirty-eight specimens average .75 x .55 of an inch. The longest specimen is 

 .89; the shortest, .69; the broadest, .57; the narrowest, .52; the smallest egg is .G9x.^3; the largest 

 .88 X .57. The ground color of the shell is generally pure white; some sets have a dirty yellowish 

 tint. The most common mai^kings consist of small spots and minute dots of slightly reddish-brown, 

 distributed over the entire shell, sometimes thickly, sometimes sparingly, but nearly always most 

 abundant about the base. The deep shell-markings have the usual bluish tint. The eggs, however, 

 are by no means confined to these markings. Of the specimens before me, two are plain white; one has 

 simply a large blotch of brown at the crown; twenty-three are as described above, and the remaining 

 twelve are variously marked witli large irregular blotches and spots of brown, varying in shade from 

 deep red-brown, so heavy as to appear almost black, to yellowish-brown of very light shade. These 

 marks, which are confined to the long j^ointed eggs, are in a few instances distributed regularly over 

 the whole shell, while in others they are very irregular or confined principally to the base. 



DIFFERENTIAL FOINTS : 



The typical nest can not be mistaken, so characteristic is it of the bird. Even in anomalous forms 

 little difficulty will be experienced. The eggs, however, are not so easily recognized. They differ so in 

 size and markings, that with exti'emes identification is uncertain if not impossible. The average speci- 

 mens resemble closely some eggs of the Cliff Swallow. For detailed differences, see P. lunlfrons. 



REMARKS : 



The illustration represents the average size and usual form of construction of the nest. It was 

 built the third week in May, 1878, against a rafter in an old scale-house. Tlie eggs figured show the 

 average and two extremes in size and markings most commonly met with. 



Two anomalous nests, one from the upper surface of a beam, and the other from a rafter, are com- 

 posed as follows: the first is very flat, the rim is only two inches from the surface of the beam; the 

 siz-3 of the cavity is normal ; very little mud is used, the majority of the structure being composed of 

 straw and grass. The bird certainly appreciated the fact that mud was not necessary in the construction 

 of a nest in such a position. The second is normal as regards shape and size, but instead of the usual 

 straws and grass mixed with the mud, are horse-hairs ; so abundant are they, and so well incorporated 

 with the clay, that the greatest possible strength is secured. 



68 



