90 Zoology of Colorado 



decreasing series, the innermost one not over half as long as the 

 outer; and as the first is practically absent, only nine are to be 

 counted. The long deeply forked tail and cinnamon red under 

 parts distinguish the Barn Swallow (Hirundo erythrogastra), which 

 is now regarded by some as a subspecies of the common European 

 bird, H. rustica. In winter it migrates even as far as Argentina 

 and Chile, and in fact the original specimen was taken in South 

 America. Our largest member of this family (wing over five 

 inches) is the Purple Martin (Progne subis), shining blue black, 

 but gray below in the female. It is not common in Colorado.* 

 In the Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon albifrons) the forehead is 

 white or pale yellowish brown, and the rump is rufous, contrasting 

 with the blue-black. The original specimen was collected by 

 Say near the present Canon City. In the Violet-green Swallow 

 (Tachycineta thalassina lepida of Mearns) the rump is purplish, con- 

 trasting with the green back, and the under parts are pure white. 

 It is common in the summer, but winters in Central America. 

 In the next three species the rump is colored like the back. The 

 Tree Swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor) is steel blue above, the wings 

 and tail black, the under parts pure white. It is not very common, 

 but has been taken in a number of places. The Bank Swallow 

 or Sand Martin {Riparia riparia) is circumpolar, going south in 

 winter to the tropics of Asia, Africa and America. It is dusky 

 brown or mouse color above, black or nearly so on wings and tail, 

 not glossy; under parts white, with a grayish-brown band across 

 the chest. It is quite rare in Colorado, according to Sclater. 

 Instead of building a clay nest like Barn Swallow, it makes tunnel- 

 like holes in sand banks. The Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgid- 

 opteryx serripennis of Audubon) has a short slightly emarginate 

 tail; the color of the bird is grayish brown, darker on wings and 

 tail, the belly white; the breast is not white or banded as in the 

 Bank Swallow. It makes holes in the vertical banks of streams. 



BOMBYCILLIDAE 



The waxwings, peculiar for the red wax-like appendages to 

 the secondary feathers, are common to Europe and America. 



♦Linnaeus describes this under two names, subis and purpurea. Under the latter title we 

 read in Turton's edition: "Inhabits Carolina and Virginia, during summer; is very much es- 

 teemed by the inhabitants for its use in alarming poultry of the approach of birds of prey, 

 which it does not only by shrieking but attacking them with the greatest fury." 



