82 
NESTS AND EGGS OE 
grasses between the layers of mud on the outside, and in having a lining 
of feathers. The dimensions are about the same in the original, but have 
been somewhat reduced in the cut, owing to the size of the page. The 
female is shown upon the edge of the nest, peering therein, while her 
stronger half is on the wing, and evidently homeward-bonnd. In the 
natural position this elaborate structure was completely protected by the 
eaves of the building against which it reposed, but in order to show^ the 
inner arrangement, as well as the eggs in situ, the artist was compelled 
to leave it partially exposed. 
The nest being completed, two or three days elapse before the female 
is ready to deposit her first egg. Having commenced, she continues to do 
so, at the rate of one a day, until her full ;number is laid, which, accord- 
ing to wha,t shall constitute her complement, requires from four to six 
days. Incubation immediately succeeds, and lasts for eleven days. This 
is not exclusively the work of the female. Sometimes her affectionate 
husband relieves her for awhile. But when not thus employed, he occu- 
pies his spare moments either in fetching her some dainty article of meat, 
or in guarding his home from intrusion. Few species show less dread of 
man during these times. Such is the confidence which is reposed in him, 
that the sitting-bird will keep to the nest, and allow him to pass within a 
few feet of her. But, on the other hand, if any interference is attempted, 
she glides noiselessly out, and watches and contemplates his movements 
with few, if any, murmurs of complaint. 
An interesting account is given of these birds by Mr. J. K. Lord. 
While he and his party were encamped at Schyakwateen, in British 
Columbia, a small shanty, loosely constructed of poles, and tightly roofed, 
was erected, and used as a blacksmith’s shop. Early one morning, late in 
June, they were visited by a pair of Swallows, who instantly perched on 
the roof of this shed, unmindful of the noise of the bellows, or the 
showers of sparks that flew around. Pi’esently they entered the house, 
and commenced an examination of the roof and its supporting poles, twit- 
