PASSERES—HIRUNDINID.E ' 161 
the insects that fly a good deal, catching them in mid-air. 
These swallows are much liked by intelligent stock farmers 
and dairymen, for they keep in check the flies that annoy 
the herds and milch cows. ° 
The Cliff Swallow appears at Oberlin during the last 
week in April. It leaves its nesting-places early in July 
and is gone south by the last of September. 
222, (613.) Hrrunpo ERYTHROGASTER Bodd. 78. 
Barn Swallow. 
Synonyms: Hirundo rufa, H. horreorum, H.erythrogaster var. 
horreorum, Chelidon erythrogastra. 
Fork-tailed Barn Swallow, American Barn Swallow, House 
Swallow. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 162. 
This is the most common and familiar of our swallows, 
always remembering that the Chimney Swift is not a swal- 
low. While it is not in such great numbers as the Vesper 
Sparrow, it may be fairly called abundant in practically all 
parts of the state as a summer resident. It nests in barns 
or almost any large out-building, or unused house; or under 
bridges. There is no record of the nests of this species 
under cliffs or in caves, as its habit was before civilized man 
appeared in America. In Oberlin the Barn Swallow is a 
familiar bird, nesting in any barn that may be left open for 
it. One may see them flying about the streets catching in- 
sects at any time of day, during the summer. 
This swallow frequently gleans from the grass tops, as it 
skims along without apparent effort. House flies are also 
eaten, as well as the species of dancing flies which annoy 
the wheelman. 
The appearance of Barn Swallows in spring largely de- 
pends upon the weather. They are such strong fliers that 
they may venture north for a single day early in March, 
during one of the spring-like days which are pretty sure to 
come, or they may tarry south until early April. The most 
have gone south by the first of September, but individuals 
usually remain until the last week in September. 
