OF VIRGINIA 255 
GENUS PETROCHELIDON. 
[612]. Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons (Say). Cliff 
Swallow. 
[Eave Swallow]. 
Rancze.—North America. Breeds from lower edge of 
the Arctic to Lower Austral zone from central Alaska, 
upper Yukon Valley, north central Mackenzie, southern 
Keewatin, northern Ontario, central Quebec, Anticosti 
Island, and Cape Breton Island south over nearly all of 
the United States except Florida and the Rio Grande 
Valley (casual as a breeder south of latitude 38° east of 
longitude 97°); also along the coast district of western 
Mexico to Tepic; migrates through central America and 
probably winters in Brazil and Argentina. 
While not quite so common as the following species, 
they are well represented all over Virginia. Like the 
Purple Martin, their numbers seem to be diminishing, but 
certainly not from having their nests destroyed like the 
Martins that try and build in the arc lights. There is no 
need for them to resort to their ancient custom of build- 
ing on the face of a cliff, for buildings with overhanging 
eaves there are in plenty, nor do the farmers, as a rule, 
disturb them. They are, however, rapidly diminish- 
ing as a breeding bird with us in Tidewater.  Arriv- 
ing a little later than the Barn Swallows and Martins, 
about April 20th, nest building commences almost at once 
if mud is easily procured, and their little semi-round bee- 
hive of a nest with hole in one side is soon stuck to the 
rafters under the eaves of the barn or shed. A few fine 
grasses or straws on the inner surface, with a goodly lin- 
