220 FULVOUS OR CLIFF SWALLOW. 
summer resort, and that not until recently have they ventured 
within the domains of civilised man. Be this as it may, they 
were observed in great numbers by Major Long’s party near 
the Rocky Mountains in the month of July, and a few were 
also seen on the banks of the Missouri river. Within ten or 
twelve years they have become familiar in different localities 
of Ohio, Kentucky, &c., whence they are extending very 
rapidly, and have recently appeared in the western part of New 
York. In order to show the rapid progress of this little 
stranger, we quote the following passage from Mr Clinton's 
interesting paper :— 
The fulvous swallow “first made its appearance at Winchell’s 
Tavern, on the highroad, about five miles south of Whitehall, 
near Lake Champlain, and erected its nest under the eaves of 
an outhouse, where it was covered by the projection of a roof. 
This was in 1817, and in this year there was but one nest ; 
the second year, seven; the third, twenty-eight ; the fourth, 
forty ; and in 1822 there were seventy, and the number has 
since continued to increase. 
“Tt appeared in 1822 at Whitehall on the 5th of June, 
and departed on the 25th of July; and these are the usual 
times of its arrival and disappearance.” 
This active little bird is, like its congeners, almost continually 
on the wing, and feeds on flies and other insects, while per- 
forming its aerial evolutions. Its note is different from that 
of other swallows, and may be well imitated by rubbing a 
moistened cork around in the neck of a bottle. The species 
arrive in the west from the south early in April, and immedi- 
ately begin to construct their symmetrical nests, which are 
perfected by their united and industrious efforts. At the 
dawn of day they commence their labours by collecting the 
necessary mud from the borders of the river or ponds adjacent, 
and they persevere in their work until near midday, when 
they relinquish it for some hours, and amuse themselves by 
sporting in the air, pursuing insects, &c. As soon as the nest 
acquires the requisite firmness, it is completed, and the female 

