Part 36

PURPLE MARTIN

Progne subis subis. Case 5, Fig. 25

Largest of our Swallows. The female is duller above than the male, and below is brownish gray. L. 8.

Range. Nests locally from the Gulf to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, rather common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 14. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 11. Cambridge, formerly locally common S.R., Apl. 20-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, common S.R. Apl. 1-Sept. 5. Glen Ellyn, local S.R., Mch. 23-Sept. 10. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 9.

Fortunate is the man whose hospitality the Martins accept. Their cheery notes and sociability make them the best kind of guests. The Audubon Society will send one plans for a Martin house, and tell one where to place it. Martins nest in May and lay white eggs.

CLIFF SWALLOW

Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons. Case 6, Fig. 55

The rusty rump is distinctive. L. 6.

Range. Nests locally from Georgia to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, rare S.R., Apl. 10-Sept.--? Ossining, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 12. Cambridge, S.R., much less than formerly. Apl. 28-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 6-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, not common, local S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 16. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 13-Sept. 12.

Cliff Swallow it is in the West, but "Eave" Swallow it should be in the East where the rows of flask-shaped mud nests cluster thick beneath projecting roofs. They prefer unpainted buildings and the modern barn rarely knows them. The white, brown-spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May.

BARN SWALLOW

Hirundo erythrogaster. Case 5, Fig. 32

Chestnut underparts and a forked tail are the chief characters of this beautiful Swallow. L. 7.

Range. Nests from North Carolina and Arkansas to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common S.R., more abundant T.V., Mch. 30-Sept. 17. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 15-Sept. 22. Cambridge, common S.R., but fast decreasing, Apl. 20-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 30-Sept. 22. Glen Ellyn, S.R., fairly common and increasing. Apl. 7-Sept. 1. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 28-Aug. 31.

Barn Swallows are far more beautiful, more graceful and more companionable than Purple Martins. But while we are erecting special dwellings for the Martins we are making our barns Swallow-proof. A pair of Barn Swallows are not only cheerful neighbors but good investments. Let us make it possible for them to enter the hay-mow. We may even supply shelves as foundations for their open mud nests. The white, spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May.

TREE SWALLOW

Iridoprocne bicolor. Case 5, Fig. 24

Silky white below and shining bluish green above; young birds are mouse-colored above but below are snowy white, unmarked, as in the adult. L. 6.

Range. Nests chiefly from southern New England northward and winters from South Carolina to Central America.

Washington, common T.V., Mch. 26-May 26; July 8-Oct. 14. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 4-May 26; Aug. 4-Oct. 16. Cambridge, S.R., formerly common, now common only as a migrant, Apl. 5-Oct. 8. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 10-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., rare S.R., Apl. 21-Sept. 8. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 30-Aug. 31.

We see comparatively few Tree Swallows during the spring, but from July to October, as they journey slowly southward, they are the most abundant members of their family. In countless thousands long ropes of Swallows crowd the wayside wires from pole to pole. At night, with others of their tribe, they roost in the marshes.

Tree Swallows they are called because they nest in hollow trees and, like some other hole-nesting birds, they may be induced to occupy nesting-boxes, making a welcome addition to our list of bird tenants. The 4-7 white eggs are laid in May.

BANK SWALLOW

Riparia riparia. Case 6. Fig. 54

Note the small size, dull plumage, and breast-band. L. 5-1/4.