Page:Birdcraft-1897.djvu/206

Rh three feet of the top, and they are almost all wider than they are high, as is frequently the case with mouse-holes. These tunnels vary from a foot to eighteen inches in length, and at the end are the wisps of grass and feathers that hold the fragile white eggs. The feathers of many different birds are found in the nests of this colony, —the breast-feathers of Ducks, Gulls, and various Shore-birds, which are not in this vicinity at the Swallow's nesting-time. In the autumn and winter many Water-birds are wounded by gun-ners, but escape notice, and, drifting ashore, become wedged between rocks and stones, and I think that it is mainly from the scraps of down adhering to such carcasses that this colony lines its nests.

The Swallows, as a family, show great inventive qualities in the way in which they have adapted their habits to the encroachments of civilization. Now, almost wholly domes-ticated, they seem to prefer man's company, and each one has appropriated a separate location for nesting. The Bank Swallow adheres the most closely to his original haunts; but even he may be found occasionally building under a bridge.

The Rough-winged Swallow is another species, which closely resembles the Bank Swallow, being slightly larger; but, as you would scarcely distinguish it when on the wing, it does not need a separate description.

FAMILY TANAGRIDE: TANAGERS.

Length: 6.75-7 inches.

'Male: A rich scarlet. Wings and tail black. Feet deep horn colour.

Female: Olive-green above; dull olive-yellow below. Wings and tail dusky.

Song: Mellow and cheerful, - " Pshaw! wait - wait - wait for me, wait!" Call note " chip-chur!"

Season: Arrives the middle of May, and leaves in late August. No longer common.