80 
N£STS AND EGGS OF 
The places selected for this purpose are strange and various. In the 
■wild districts of the West, the birds nidificate in caves that abound in the 
bluffs along the sea-shore. Near Fort Dallas, Oregon, the basaltic cliffs 
so common thereabouts are utilized. In the vicinity of Pyramid Lake, 
Nevada, their nests are placed among the “tufa domes” attached to the 
roofs of caves, seldom more than one or two pairs being found together. 
In other localities, in the same section of country, limestone cliffs, crevices 
of rocks, and sides of wooden bridges, serve the same purposes. 
Coming East, where they are much more familiar and confiding, we 
find quite a change in this particular. Venturing into our crowded cities, 
they often build their elaborate homes in the porches of dwellings. But 
the various farm -buildings, which are noticeable in agricultural regions, 
are generally to be preferred. In such places, the nests are erected on 
horizontal rafters, or secured to the frameworks, underneath the eaves, 
after the fashion of the Cliff Swallow’s nest. Again, bridges and dilapi- 
dated spring-houses are occasionally pressed into service. Besides the fore- 
going, cases have been cited where the nest of the Cliff Swallow was used, 
and also one where a small building, of very rude structure — which was 
temporarily occupied as a blacksmith-shop — was utilized. 
Their natural breeding-places, before the settlement of this country, 
were caves, overhanging cliffs, and like situations. Swallow Cave, at 
Nahant, was formerly a favorite j)lace of resort. As the country becomes 
settled, these places are forsaken for the more convenient ones which the 
buildings of the farm afford. Such accommodations, experience has shown, 
tend to a rapid increase in their numbers, for the birds are not slow to 
perceive the advantages which result from a close familiarity with man. 
The nests are constructed of separate layers of mud, from ten to 
twelve in number, Avhich are often, though not always, parted by strata of 
fine grasses. The layers themselves are formed of small pellets composed 
of clay and fine sand, Avorked over by the birds, and which are adjusted 
side by side until each layer is complete. The walls being finished, the 
