6 BULLETIN 619, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
tainly useful in fertilizing flowers of plants. In many cases this func- 
tion is essential, and without this intervention of insects many species 
of plants would become extinct. On the other hand, 'there is no evi- 
dence that plants suffer in any way from lack of insect service, and 
it is probable that in this one respect the balance in nature is nearly 
perfect and not likely to be disturbed by any increase of birds or 
corresponding decrease of insects. The martin may safely be pro- 
tected and encouraged. 
Following is a list of the insects identified in stomachs of purple 
martins and number of stomachs in which found : 
ODOXATA. 
Libellula sp 1 
OKTHOPTERA. 
Tettisb sp 5 
HEMIPTERA. 
Cicada sp 3 
Telamona sp 1 
Platycotis sp 1 
Micrutalis calva 1 
Podisus subspinosus 1 
Euschistus inflatus 1 
Bolubea pugnax 1 
Xezara hilaris 1 
Leptoglossus oppositus 2 
Metapodius femoratus 1 
Anasa tristis 1 
Myodocha serripes 9 
Qerris sp 2 
LEPIDOPTERA. 
Vanessa atalanta 1 
COLEOPTERA. 
Cicindela sp 1 
Lebia sp 1 
Anisodactylus baltimorensis 1 
Rhantus bistriatus 1 
Tropisternus sp 1 
Gercyon ocellatus 1 
Creophilus villosus 2 
Philonthus sp 1 
Bister abbreviatus 1 
Bister civilis 1 
Glischrochilus fasciatus 9 
Trogosita virescens 1 
Duprestis liaeata 1 
Canthon sp 1 
(Jntliopliagus sp 1 
coleoptera — continued. 
Aphodius fimetariiis 20 
ApJiodius inquinatus 19 
Aphodius stercorosus 1 
ApJiodius sp 3 
Dichelonycha sp 3 
Strigoderma pygma^a 2 
Euphoria inda 6 
Criocephalus sp 1 
Typophorus vittatus l 
CoJaspis brunnea : 2 
ILylabris prosopis (Bruchus) 1 
Serropalpus barbatus 1 
Otiorhynchus ovatus 1 
SiiGna hispidula 3 
Sitona ffavescens 2 
Sitona sp 4 
Bypera punctata 9 
Endahis wratus l 
Anthonomus grandis 2 
Tylopterus pallidas 1 
Balaninus nasicus 1 
Balaninus sp 13 
Splienophorus pontederice 1 
Sphcnophorus callosus 1 
Sphenophorus sp 1 
Platypus ftavicornis 2 
Xyleborus impressus 1 
Tomicus calligraphus 1 
Chramesus icoriw 1 
HYAIEXOPTERA. 
Apis mellifera 5 
Chrysis sp 1 
Tiphia inornata 1 
Scambus sp 1 
Ichneumon irritator 1 
Chatcis sp 1 
Pogonomyrmex sp 1 
CLIFF, OR EAVES, SWALLOW. 
Petroclielidon lunifrons. 
The cliff, or eaves, swallow (PL I. lower figure) is found locally 
throughout the United States. Its former and natural nesting site 
was under an overhanging bank of earth, as along a stream or 
under a cliff. Xow the favorite spot for its nest is under the 
eaves of a building or occasionally under a roof if there is free 
