The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-19

has been observed, and which has been gra-
dually increasing within a few years past,
IN this vicinity. ] have q considerable
colony OF these birds under the caves,
on the north side Of my barn. When
| first noticed, several years ago, perhapsten
\ years, there were only two or three nests
Last summer there were esht-three in one
| block. and two blocks Of two nests each, and
one standing alone. The material is clay
| or mud brought In humps OF the size of q large
pea. and laid upon another till the little cabin
| Is completed; leaving an aperture just large
enough for one bird to go in Mt time. When
the Young birds are well grown, the opening
! IL enlarged, so as TO allow all the litlo things
10 look out at once. Soon after they began
their present settlement, il was observed, that
by long continued wet weather, a nest was oc-
casionally exposed to the catastrophe Of an
| avalanche. Several cleats were therefore
nailed to the barn, at a suitable distance from
tho caves. The birds have seemed much
pleased with this arrangement for their bene-
fit, and have since, uniformly, selected the
cleats for building spots. This summer the
colony is increased to thirteen dormi,ories,
five in one block, and two blocks Of four
nests each. Preparations seem to be making
to enlarge the village, and should the popu-
lation become sufficient TO form city, they
will be considered entitled to appropriate pri-
yileges, and an ample charter, with the addi-
ton Of as many cleats as may he needed.
am not able 10 describe these interesting
birds infinitely, although | often amuse my
self with observing their occupations, man.
ners and customs and with listening to their
garrulity. They seldom rest long enough to
be examined, excepting when in their nests.
They then reach out their little heads, which
are in continual motion, indicating the closest
scrutiny Of their ysiter. They are shorter
and more plump than the barn-swallows.-
Above the beak and extending between the
eyes, is white spot, about the size of four
pence halEpenny, but shaped like triangle,
with the point toward the beak squared off.
The rest Of the forehead and beak, jet black.
The throat nearly spanish brown color. with a
small central spot or line Of black. The
lower part Of the body white. The wings and
fan-shaped tail, a dark dun color. The back,
between the wings and tail, is red, but lighter
than the throat. This is the only description
can give, as have not INDUCED my curiosi-
ty at the expense Of the life Of one of these
little creatures, nor endangered the alarm Of
the whole colony, and perhaps determining
them to evacuate, by seizing one of their
number in the night, which might probably
do with ease. l have heard this bird called
the Mexican Swallow. | do not know on
what authority. If the troubles in Mexico
occasioned its migration northward, am glad
the border difficulties in Maine are likely to be
amicably settled, so that it may have peace
full home in New England.
send this communication, in hope that
some ornithologist, acquainted with the histo-
ny aud habits Of this sweet bird, will favor the
lovers of natural history with particular de-
scription oft, through your paper.
North Hampton, May 81.
rye have one correspondent to whose spe-
cial notice the above is commended. We
have observed colony Of these birds similar
to the one described, attached to a barn in this
town, and on the stables ola Temperance Inn
at Kennebunk we saw last summer a row Of
thci, nests amounting in number to about
| fifty. The worthy host was 50 much pleased
with them, that he would not suffer them on
any account to DO molested. Their places of
building in both these instances, were under
the large cave or projection Of high barn,
out OF the reach of passengers, but yet close
to the haunts of man, as if conscious Of in
nocence, and claiming his protection and hos
pitality.l
INTERESTING rAcTs.-The first decked
vessel ever built within the limits Of the old
| United States, was constructed on the banks
Of the Hudson, by Adrian Block, in the sum-
mer OF 1914. She was called yacht, and
her first voyage was made through He'll Gate,
into the Sound, and as far east as Cape Cod,
by the Vineyard passage. II was in this voy-
age that Block Island was discovered. Within
the first forty-six years after the settlement Of
Massachusetts, there were built in Boston and
its vicinity, 730 vessels, varying from six to
$50 tons in burhen. One of these, the Bless
ing Of the Bay, bark of 80 tons, was built in
1851. The celebrated English patriot and
divine, Hugh Peters, caused vessel Of 800
tons to be constructed at Salem, in l64l.-
The first schooner ever launched is said to
have been built at Cape Ann, in l7l4. Her
name is not known. In 1918, Connecticut
had but 2 briggs, 20 sloops, and few smaller
craft, employing but 100 seamen; while
Massachusetts, about the same time, had 492
vessels, the tonnage Of which wss 25, 4O6, and
employed 3,493 seamen. The first ensign
ever shown by regular American man.of-
war, was hoisted on board the frigate Alfred,
in the Delaware, by the hands Of Paul Jones,
in the latter part Of December, l775. What
this ensign was is not precisely known, as the
present national color we're not formerly
adopted until l777. The first regular Amc-
rcan cruizer that went to sea was the Lex
lngton, little brig of IA guns, commanded
by Captain John Barry, Of Philadelphia. She
sailed some time in the winter Of l776. The
first American man-ofwar that got to sea after