WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. 605 



sects, which constitute their ordinary food. Their note 

 does not appear to resemble a twitter, and according to 

 Audubon it may be imitated by rubbing a moistened 

 cork round in the neck of a bottle. In Kentucky, un- 

 til the commencement of incubation, the whole party re- 

 sorted to roost in the hollow limbs of the button-wood 

 trees [Platanus occidentalis). However curious, it is 

 certain, that these birds have but recently discovered the 

 advantage of associating round the habitations of men. 



The Cliff Swallow is about 5^ inches long, the alar extent 12. 

 Iris hazel. The semi-lunar frontal band pale rufous white. Tail- 

 coverts pale yellowish-red. Wings and tail brownish-black. — Fe- 

 male similar. 



WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. 



{Hirundo bicolor, Vieill. H. viridis, Wilson, v. p. 44. pi. 33. fig. 3. 

 Phil. Museum, No. 7707.) 



Sp. Charact. — Dark greenish-blue, beneath white ; tail forked ; 

 the tarsi naked. 



This species, less common than the Barn Swallow, 

 and nearly allied to the Common Martin, arrives in Penn- 

 sylvania and New England about the middle of April, 

 and extends its migrations over the continent nearly to 

 the arctic circle, having been seen by Dr. Richardson in 

 the latitude of 53° ; they also breed around Hudson's 

 Bay, and throughout the Northern and Middle States. 

 On their arrival, like many other species, they seek out 

 the society of man, and frequently take possession of the 

 mansion of the Martin. When these advantages are unat- 

 tainable, they will content themselves with the eaves of 

 some deserted dwelling, a hollow tree, their ancient resi- 

 dence, or even an horizontal branch, when large and 

 convenient. The nest is made without mud, of fine dry 

 grass loosely put together, and copiously lined with feath- 

 51* 



