CYPSELID^ — THE SWIFTS. 



425 



Fanyptila melanoleiica. 



line of junction seen in all tlie otliers, including tiie male I'rom Guatenuila 

 (3U,S3G, JDuenas, jS'ov.). 



Habits. This new species was first discovered by Dr. Keunevly on Bill 

 Williams Fork, New Mexico, February 16, 185-i. He speaks of it as a 

 very curious and interesting bird, found by liini only amon" the canons of 

 that stream, and not observed 

 elsewhere during their journey. 

 Large flock.s could be seen at any 

 time in the vicinity of tliose 

 canons, liying and circling around 

 very high, and far beyond the 

 reach of shot. Towards the close 

 of the day, when the sun had sunk 

 behind tiie hills, they occasionally 

 descended lower. He only met 

 with them where the walls of the 

 canons were very high, and con- 

 sisted of almost perpendicular 

 masses of rock. At times they 

 were seen to sweep low down, and then to ascend nearly perpendicularly 

 very near the stones, as if examining them in order to select a place for 

 their nests. The construction of these had obviously not then commenced. 

 Dr. Kennerly saw none engaged in the work, nor did he observe any old 

 nests, unless tliey build after the manner of the common Cliff Swallow, 

 which were also abundant in that region. Jlr. ^lollhausen was of the 

 opinion that these birds build in the holes and crevices of the cliffs. In 

 their flight and liabits they appeared to closely resemble the common 

 Chcetura pelagica. 



Dr. Heermann met with this species se^'eral times, first in San Fernando 

 Pass, near Los Angelos, and again near Palm Spring, between the Colorado 

 desert and Vallicita, at another time near Tucson, and once also in Texas. 

 He always found them flying at a great height, either far beyond or on the 

 extreme limit of gunshot range. From the extent of their wings they 

 seemed formed to live in tlie air, where they pass most of their time gliding 

 about in extensive circles, with apparently very little motion of tlie wings. 

 During pleasant weather they found their insect prey in the upper air, but, 

 when cloudy or rainy, they flew nearer the ground in their pursuit. When 

 on the gi-ound, they were observed to rise witli diffieulty, owing to the 

 shortness of their legs and the length of their wings. When they rest, 

 they always alight on some elevated j^oint whence they can throw them- 

 selves into the air, and take to wing. Numbei-s were observed flying 

 about the rocks near Tucson, but none were heard to utter a note. The}' 

 were sociable among themseh'es, gathering in large flocks, but never 

 mingled with the Swallows. He states that they construct their nests in 



VOL. n. 54 



