. IIIRUNDO EUFA. 91 



FAMILY H I R U N D I N I D JE. 



HIRUNDO RUFA. 



Hirundo erythrogaster, BODDAERT, Tab. PI. Enl. 1783, p. 45. (?) 

 Hirundo rufa, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 1018. 

 " BONAP. Syn. 1828, p. 24. 

 " NUTTALL, Manual, I, 1832, 601. 

 II, 1834, 607. 

 " " BONAP. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838, p. 9. 



" DE KAY, Nat. Hist. N. Y. 1844, pi. xxix, fig. 64. 

 " CASSIN, Syn. N. A. Birds (Illust. Birds of Cal.), 1854, p. 243. 

 Hirundo horreorum, BARTON, Frag. Nat. Hist, of Pa. 1799, p. 17. 

 Hirundo amcricana, WILS. Am. Orn. V, 1812, 34, pi. xxxviii, figs. 1 and 2. 



RICH. & SWAINS. F. B. A. II, 1831, 329. 

 " LEMBEYE, Aves de la Isla de Cuba, 1850, p. 44. 



Hirundo cyanopyrrlia, VIEILL. Nouv. Diet. XIV, 1817, 510. 

 Hirundo rustica, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1835, 413; V, 411 ; pi. clxiii. 

 " Syn. 1839, p. 35. 

 " Birds of Am. I, 1840, 181, pi. xlviii. 



VTJLG. American Barn Sivallow. Barn Swallow. Swallow. Chimney Swallow. Golon- 

 drina Bifurcata. American Sivallow. 



NONE of our more common birds are better knoAvn or are more universal favor- 

 ites than the familiar, graceful little Barn Swallows. They are not welcomed 

 merely as the early harbingers of milder skies and summer weather; we greet 

 with even greater pleasure in them the return of gladsome and cheerful com- 

 panions, of pleasant and joyous visitors, ever welcome because they never abuse 

 the hospitality they receive. The confiding trust with which they enter the barns 

 and out-buildings of the farmer, or will even venture into the very midst of our 

 most crowded cities, and construct their curiously elaborate nests over our windows 

 and door-sills, wins them an easy way to our affectionate interest. Even this inter- 

 est is not a little increased and confirmed as we know more of their blameless and 

 innocent lives. Social, affectionate, and kind in their intercourse with their fellows ; 

 unceasingly devoted to each other in their conjugal loves and duties ; exemplary in 

 their attachment to, and constant, watchful, and faithful in their zealous care of, 

 their offspring ; sympathizing, active, and benevolent when their kindred or asso- 

 ciates are in difficulties, there are few indeed among us who might not find, in the 

 daily life of these graceful and lovely birds, bright examples of fidelity to social du- 

 ties and the practice of domestic virtues which we need not be ashamed ourselves to 

 imitate. In all its intercourse with man, it is his constant benefactor and friend. 

 In no instance is it known, even indirectly, to do him the least injury. It makes 

 its daily food the insects that annoy his cattle, injure his trees, devour his fruit, or 

 attack his own person. Its benefits are unalloyed by any mischievous propensities. 



