THE EUFOUS-NECKED AND EUFOUS-BELLIED SWALLOWS. 333 



There is an American Swallow whicli builds a nest very simi- 

 lar in form to that of the Fairy Martin. This is the EuFOUS- 

 KECKED Swallow {Hirundofuha), whose nests are made of mud, 

 and flask-shaped, but have a wider and shorter neck than is the 

 case with the nest of the Fairy Martin. On account of its grega- 

 rious propensities, it is sometimes called the Republican Swal- 

 low. Wherever a favorable spot is found, such as a perpendic- 

 ular rock with an overhanging shelf, the nests are built in profu- 

 sion, being placed so close to each other that the rock is almost 

 covered with them. 



The birds are also gregarious on the wing as well as in nesting, 

 as will be seen by Audubon's remarks upon their habits : " About 

 sunset they begin to flock together, calling to each other for that 

 purpose, and in a short time presented the appearance of clouds 

 moving toward the lakes on the mouth of the Mississippi, as the 

 weather and wind suited. Their aerial evolutions before they 

 alight are truly beautiful. They appear at first as if reconnoi- 

 tering the place, when, suddenly throwing themselves into a vor- 

 tex of apparent confusion, they descend spirally with astonishing 

 quickness, and very much resemble a trombe or water -spout. 

 When within a few feet of the driers, they disperse in all direc- 

 tions, and settle in a few moments. Their twitterings and the 

 motion of their wings are, however, heard during the whole night. 



" As soon as the day begins to dawn, they rise, flying low over 

 the lakes, almost touching the water for some time, and then, ris- 

 ing gradually, move off in search of food, separating in different 

 directions. The hunters who resort to these places destroy great 

 numbers of them by knocking them down with light paddles, 

 used in propelling their canoes." The drier which is here men- 

 tioned is the French popular name for the Myrica cerifera, a shrub 

 belonging to the same genus as the well-known British shrub 

 called Sweet Gale, or Dutch Myrtle. 



Another American bird, the Rufous-bellied Swallow {Hi- 

 rundo eryihrogaster), is notable for the nest which it makes. This 

 species follows the example of the Oven Bird in its selection of 

 materials, strengthening the mud walls of its nest with fine hay. 

 The nest is furthermore remarkable for having a supplementary 

 perch, or small nest attached to the larger one, serving as a seat 

 for the male while his mate is engaged in the business of incuba- 

 tion. On such occasions he js in the habit of pouring forth a 



