/^2 -tr6e~<) 
<r>i 
Cotile riparia. Sand Swallow— While examining some Sand Swal- 
low’s burrows on Cranberry Islands, this summer, three were found con- 
taining two nests each, each nest having in it fresh eggs. The finding of 
two nests with eggs in the same burrow struck me as somewhat remark- 
able and I thought it was perhaps worthy of notice— Harry Merrill 
Bangor , Maine. 
Bull. N. O.O, <J,Octj 1881, p. 
Birds of Dead River Region, Me. F. H. 0. 
41. Cotile riparia, (Bank Swallow.) In the side 
of the gravel cuts on the Sandy River and Frank- 
lin and Megantic narrow gauge railroads I noticed 
many holes made by this bird. The last named ! 
railroad was constructed in 1885, and in August, 
188G, when riding over it I noticed the sand banks 
left by excavation of earth for the track, were 
punctured with the holes of this species. The 
Rank Swallow is evidently on the increase in 
this section. 
O.&O. SI. Oct. 1886. p, 14 Q 
Bank Swallow, (Ootile riparia ). Abundant 
Summer resident. Arrives from May 5 to 10. 
Breeds, often in large colonies along the streams, 
where they make an excavation, two or three feet 
horizontally into the sandy bank. A few dry 
grasses and feathers constitute the nest. This 
species is often seen with the two preceding, but 
does not, like them, seek the company of man. 
7a 
O .& O . X. May. 1385 . p.?/ 
| Birds Tioga Op, N.Y. Aide* Loring, 
157. Bank Swallow. Common. Excavates 
! a hole in a sand bank after the manner of the 
Kingfisher, and builds its nest at the end of it. 
! Its food consists of insects, of which it destroys 
great numbers. 
XV, Jtoe.18 90, p.82 
Peculiar Nesting-Site of the Bank-Swallow. — Dr. Rufus Ham- 
mond, of Brookville, Indiana, writes, under date of June 5, 1876 : “Two 
weeks ago I saw a Bank-Swallow building its nest in the east end of a 
frame paper-mill, about seventy yards from the depot, in whifch was placed 
the nest of which I have already informed you [see “ American Natur- 
ralist,” Yol. X, p. 373, June, 1876], A weather-board had become de- 
tached from the building, leaving a small opening, in which I watched for 
two days a Bank-Swallow building a nest. Soon after the mill caught 
fire and was burned, of course destroying the nest and its contents. I 
have no doubt these birds will ultimately change their habits so far as to 
build their nests in any convenient place, especially in pudlock holes left 
open in brick buildings.” I should, however, add that Mr. Ridgway 
(“American Naturalist,” Yol. X, p. 493, Aug., 1876) questions whether the 
birds observed were not the Rough-winged Swallow ( Stelgidopteryx ser- 
ripennis), which nests as Dr. Hammond describes. — Elliott Coues. 
Bull. N.Q.Q, I, Nov, 1870. p, . 
May 23, 1881. I went to a well-known | 
breeding place after a few sets of Bank 
Swallow’s eggs. As I neared the place in 
a small sailboat, I thought it very curious 
that I saw no swallows flying about the 
bluffs as they usually do ; but on landing 
and beginning to dig, I soon saw the 
reason. The previous two weeks of con- 
tinual rainy weather had totally extermina- 
ted the entire colony. Most of the 
burrows contained from three to eight, 
and from one burrow I removed ten dead 
swallows and two eggs, one of which is a 
trifle larger than usual, while the other is 
smaller than a Ruby-throated Humming 
Bird’s.— IF. IF Worthington. 
O.&O, Vll.JuI. 1882. p, /^4/ 
w i r /if / 7 fw/. n e /a y, y J C 
j Sand Martins Nesting in a Stone Wall. — A short time ago I 
• wrote to you saying I had found Starlings occupying Sand Martins’ holes 
in a quarry. Since then, in July, I was surprised to find a brood of young 
Sand Martins in a hole in a stone wall. I watched the old birds for some 
time, as I felt sure there was a nest close by, but did not know where to 
look for it. Soon one of them flew into a dense mass of ivy on a wall, and 
shortly reappeared. Pushing aside the ivy, I found the nest. This is a strange 
case of retaliation on the part of the Martins. — 0. M. Prior (Bedford). 
