CLIFF-SWALLOW, or EAVES-SWALLOW. A swallow (Pc•ochelidon lunifrons) familiar throughout North America as one of those that make their nests about barns and outhouses. (See BARN-SWALLOW. ) It is distinguished from other semi-domestic swallows by its short, square tail, reddish rump. grayish breast and collar, and white forehead; and by the fact that it places its flask-shaped nests of mud always on the out side of the building, unlike the fork-tailed true barn-swallows, which go inside the building to nest. This swallow originally nested in colonies wherever a rocky cliff afforded a chance to fasten their nests in close companies upon its face. (See Plate of VA AI I LIAR SWALLOW'S.) These nests were globular, with a spout-like neck, forming the entrance, and were formed of pellets of mud, and lined with grass and feathers. As soon as human settlements began near their resorts. these swallow, abandoned the cliffs .for the more secure, better-sheltered place under the eaves of such buildings as they were permitted to occupy; and as the spread of civilization has finally cov ered most of the range of the species, only a few places in the remote West remain where these birds may be seen nesting after their primitive habit In the eastern part of the country inter esting modifications of habit have followed their long-eontinued associat ion with man—among others, a disposition to make a lunch simpler style of nest, leaving off the domed roof and flask-like entrance, and forming little more than a cup in its place. since the overhanging eaves keep of]' the
rain and conceal the sitting bird. This genus is almost cosmopolitan, has similar habits nearly everywhere, and in all countries attaches itself to and is welcomed by eivilizaztion. Ingersoll, Wild Life of orchard and rield I New York, 1902).