CYPSELID^ — THE SWIFTS. 435 



Chsetiira (pelagica var. ?) vatixi, (Towns.) DeKay. 



OREGON CHIMNEY SWIFT. 



Ci/psehis vauxi, Townsend, J. A. X. Sc. VIII, 1S39, 14S (Columbia River). — Ib. Narrative, 

 1S39. C/mtura vauxi, Df.Kat, N". Y. Zobl. II, 1844, 36. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 

 145, pi. xviii. — ScLATEn, Cat. 282. — 1b. P. Z. S. 1863, 100 (Guatemala). — Kexner- 

 LT, P. R. R. X, 1), pl. xviii, f. 2. — Cooper & Sucklbt, 165. — Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 

 1870, 351. Acanlhylis vauxi, BoNAP. Comptes Remlus, XXVIII, 1854; notes Delattre, 

 90. — Cassix, 111. I, 1855, 250. — Newberry, Zool. Cal. and Or. Route, 78 ; P. R. R. 

 Surv. VI, 1857. 



Sp. Char. Light sooty-brown ; rump and under parts paler ; lightest on the chin and 

 throat. Length, 4.50; wing, 4.75 ; tail, 1.90. 



Had. Pacific coast, from Puget'.'! Sound to Cahfornia. West coast to Guatemala (ScL. 

 P. Z. S. 1863, 100) ; Yucatan (Lawr. Ann. K. Y. Lye. IX, 204). 



This species bears a very close resemblance to the common Chimney Swal- 

 low of the Eastern States, being only readily distinguishable by its much 

 smaller size, 4.50 inches instead of 5.25. The wing, too, is nearly an inch 

 shorter. The tarsus and the middle toe, liowever, seem absolutely longer. 

 The rumiJ is a little jialer than in C. 'pdcujica, as well as the under jiarts, 

 where the chin and throat are lighter, almost dirty white, and gradually 

 becoming a little darker behind, although even the hinder part of the belly 

 is much lighter than the back, even in strong contrast, instead of being of 

 the same color with it. Guatemalan specimens are much darker. 



Habits. This western Swift was first discovered by Mr. Townsend on the 

 Columbia Eiver, where he found it having the primitive habits of the eastern 

 species, and breeding in hollow trees, forming a nest in a similar manner, and 

 laying four pure-wliite eggs. It differs from tite common bird in its smaller 

 size and lighter color. It is said to occur from Puget Sound to California. 



Dr. Coojjer met with these birds May 4, 1864, in the Coast Range, twelve 

 miles south of Santa Clara. He was of the opinion that they had nests in 

 hollow trees at the summit of the mountains, but he was not able to find 

 any. He did not observe any at Fort Vancouver in the summer of 1853, 

 nor did he learn whether these birds are found in the central valleys of 

 California. In 1866 they were observed to make their first appearance at 

 Santa Cruz on the 4th of Jlay, though as they rarely descended to the town 

 they might have been on the hills earlier than this. On the 5th of October 

 he observed five of tliem, in company with a large flock of Hirundo hicolor, 

 spending the morning in liunting insects near the town. They were apparent- 

 ly delayed in their migration southward by a tliick fog and cold soutli-wiiid. 

 They may have been a late brood from the north. 



Dr. Kennerly obtained a single specimen of tliis species at the Straits of 

 Fuca, showing that these birds sometimes e.xtend tlieir migrations up to the 

 49th parallel. Neither Dr. Suckley nor Dr. Cooper was able to find this 

 Swift anywhere in Washington Territory. 



