122 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



contained young, and has evidently withstood the test well, still 

 firmly adhering to the wall. 



The other nest (likewise without support or prop from below) 

 is built against the vertical surface of the ridge-piece and a 

 rafter, in the angle formed by these two timbers at the apes of 

 the roof (Plate II., fig. 2). This one had no signs of having 

 contained young, but there was evidence that eggs had been 

 laid ; a part of this structure had given way, but I was able 

 to replace it for the purpose of photography. 



The nest with young, found in June, was in a corresponding 

 position to this last. 



According to Seebohm (vol. ii. pp. 174, 175), this form of 

 construction is not uncommon on the Continent, but as to this I 

 have no personal knowledge. 



It is probable that those birds which have inherited this 

 habit of nest-building would not, as a rule, resort to a ledge or 

 projection even when such were at hand, e. g. in this loft the 

 purlins and other horizontal timbers offered suitable and normal 

 sites for the nests, though at a lower level ; yet they were not 

 taken advantage of. 



There can be little doubt that these nests were the work of 

 one and the same pair, but next summer, if the same* birds 

 return, as is most likely, I hope further observations may clear 

 up this and other points. 



In the 'Field,' Dec. 10th, 1904, Mr. J. E. Harting, in cor- 

 recting an anonymous observer's statement with regard to the 

 nesting of the Sand-Martin, writes as follows : — "... the 

 Swallow's nest having always some support under it, whether in 

 a barn, shed, summer-house, grotto, or sea-cave. A nest of the 

 Common Swallow built against the face of a chalk cliff (unless 

 on a ledge) would be as remarkable as a cup-shaped nest built 

 by a Sand-Martin against the chalk." It may be presumptuous 

 on my part to differ from so high an authority, but there seems 

 to be no more reason why (apart from the question of site, for a 

 Swallow's nest on a sea-cliff is outside my experience) a Swallow 

 should not build — exceptionally, of course — against a chalk or 

 rock cliff without support under, than against a brick wall or on 

 the perpendicular sides of roof-timbers, such as in the cases 

 above mentioned. 



