104 



KEY AND DESCRIPTION 



breeding season (May to August), in small flocks, and when 



on the wing fly 

 close together in a 

 straight line on 

 about a level with 

 the tree tops. They 

 are chatterers 

 rather than singers. 

 (Cedar-bird; Cher- 

 ry-bird.) 



Length, 7] ; wing, 

 33 (3„^-3|); tail, 2i ; 

 tarsus, 5 ; culmen, ^. 

 Nortli America; breed- 



Cedar Waxwing 



ing from Virginia and Kansas northward (farther south in the moun- 

 tains), and wintering throughout the United States south to Central 

 America. 



FAMILY Xi. .SWALLOWS (IIIlUNI)f NID.E) 



This family comprises eighty species of long-winged, small 

 birds. They spend most of the time in the air in pursuit of 

 their food, which consists almost entirely of insects. Many 

 have forked tails ; few have colors other than black and 

 white; many have glossy, and some, iridescent jdu- 

 mage. On account of their weak, small feet, they 

 usually perch on very slender twigs, or by prefer- 

 ence on telegraph wires. The top of the bill is very ' 

 short, but the mouth is both wide and deep, reaching about to 

 the eyes.^ 



Key to the Species 



* Wing over 5 long 1. Purple Martin, or 2. Cuban Martin. 



* Wing, 5 or less long. (A.) 



A. 



Tail, 3 or more long, the notch more than an inch deep ; the under 

 tail feathers with white blotches; throat chestnut; back lustrous 



steel-blue 4. Barn Swallow. 



Tail, 2\ or less long; back with metallic luster. (C) 

 Tail, 2\ or less long ; back brownish, without luster. (B). 



B. Breast brownish ; belly and throat white 6. Bank Swallow. 



