194 



TREE SWALLOW 



Tree Swallow; White-bellied Swallow: Tacly- 

 cineta hicolor. 



Adults, upper parts steel-blue or steel-green ; under parts pure 

 white, unmarked. Young, upper parts brownish gray; 

 under parts white. Length, about 6 inches. 



Geographic Distribution. — North America, north to Labra- 

 dor and Alaska ; breeds locally throughout its range ; winters 

 from South Carolina and the Gulf states southward. 



The Tree Swallow may be known by its shin- 

 ing white breast. It has not yet entirely given 

 over the habits of its an- 

 cestors, and still nests 

 largely in hollow trees, 

 though in some places it 

 will accept proffers of 

 nesting-boxes. When it 

 does accept man's hospi- 

 tality it does so without 

 reserve, even taking up its 

 residence in candle-boxes 

 prepared only by having 

 a hole made in one end, sometimes almost taking 

 from the hand the feathers that are offered for 

 its nest. It builds a soft nest of leaves and hay, 

 lined with down and feathers. The eggs are pure 

 white, unspotted. 



Unlike most Swallows, the Trees vary their 

 insect diet with berries, being especially fond of 

 bay-berries. 



They form large roosts, and begin to gather in 



Fig. 122. 

 Tree Swallow. 



