104 
THE BIRDS OE WISCONSIN 
side. Like some others of our nesting birds, the tanagers 
seeem mysteriously to disappear soon after the young leave 
the nest, and although they remain with us until early fall they 
are not often seen after the beginning of the post-nuptial 
moult, having retired to the most secluded woods, where they 
remain in the thicker tree tops the greater portion of the time. 
Piranga rubra (Linn.). SUMMER TANAGER. 
Rare, but evidently a regular summer visitor in southern 
Wisconsin. It has been taken near Janesville by Mr. H. L. 
Skavlem; and near Albion, twice at least, by Thure Kumlien. 
In the Johnstown woods, between Milton and Johnstown, it 
appears to occur regularly every summer, we having seen it 
on a number of occasions, and taken specimens. Reported 
from Racine by Dr. Hoy, and two specimens, taken near Mil- 
waukee, were mounted by local taxidermists, and were for- 
merly in the old Natural History Society collection. 
FAMILY HIRUNDINID/E: SWALLOWS. 
Progne subis (Linn.). PURPLE MARTIN. 
The familiar and generally beloved martin is a common 
summer resident, nesting exclusively nowadays about build- 
ings, and in bird houses placed for its especial benefit. As 
lately as 1869 it was still nesting in hollow trees about Lake 
Koshkonong, and doubtless in other sections. It does not 
average anywhere near as common as twenty to thirty years 
ago. Has been driven from many nesting sites by the English 
sparrow, and many young die in the nest each year for some 
reason unknown. It arrives from the first to the middle of 
April, but seems relunctant to settle down to housekeeping, 
and as a rule it is nearly the first of June before nesting begins. 
Petroelielidon lunifrons (Bay). CLIFF SWALLOW. 
An abundant summer resident. Nests in colonies of from 
three or four to upwards of twenty-five pairs, or more, on its 
favorite barns. Associates constantly, before and after the 
breeding season, with the barn and tree swallows. It was 
formerly a very rare bird over some parts of the state where 
it is now abundant. Fifty years ago it was supposed to ascend 
the Mississippi and breed at only a few points, whereas at the 
present time it is abundant the entire width of the state. It was 
unknown in the early forties in Jefferson County, except as a 
