that annoy his cattle, injure his fruit trees, sting his fruit or molest 
his person." 
Too many of the modern barns are built so that they shut out these 
birds. A wise farmer will leave opening for the swallows. 
BANK SWAhhOW—iClivicola riparia.) 
Upper parts brownish gray; throat white; a dark band across the 
breast ; wings and tail dusky. 
Length about five inches. 
Arrival. April 25 to May 15. 
Favorite Haunts. In the air, near streams. 
Field Marks. The smallest of our swallows; dull of color, showing 
no metallic lustre. 
Note. A twitter, a squeak. 
The bank swallow is locally distributed throughout Vermont wherever 
conditions are favorable for nesting. In a river bank or railroad cut 
where the soil is not too loose or too compact this bird excavates a hole 
two or three feet in length at the end of which is placed a loosely con- 
structed nest of grass and feathers. These birds ha.ve been known to 
use piles of sawdust instead of sand banks for their nesting sites. 
This species is social, living together in colonies. They evidently become 
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