WESTERN BIRDS Swallow 



States, and southeastern North Carolina, south over a 

 greater part of Mexico. 



It is nearly six inches long and twelve inches from tip 

 to tip of wing, the upper parts being a glossy greenish 

 blue, tail forked, and under parts white. 



They are among our earliest arrivals and also stay 

 later than most of their family, even spending the winter 

 in favored localities. 



They nest in colonies, selecting holes in hollow trees, 

 openings in houses, as well as sometimes preempting the 

 nesting boxes put up for the Martins. The nest hole is 

 lined with dry grasses and feathers, the latter often con- 

 cealing the pure white eggs. Two broods are raised. 



As they sail through the air in their endless flight 

 they keep up a chatter note that is sometimes low and 

 guttural, and at other times harsh and sharp, but always 

 unmistakably Swallow language. 



One flock which I watched came year after year to a 

 southern California ranch which was near a stream 

 bordered by willows and low growths. Here they made 

 their nests in the hollow trees and other available places. 

 A knot-hole in the gable of the house was a favorite site. 

 They went about their affairs unmindful of the human 

 family, and the latter, being bird lovers, rejoiced to have 

 them about, not only for their beauty, but because they 

 knew the great good they were doing in ridding the ranch 

 of insect life. 



GENUS TACHYCINETA: NORTHERN 

 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. 



Northern Swallow: Tachycineta thalassina thalassina. 



FAMILY— SWALLOW. 



The very handsomest of all the Swallows, the Violet- 

 green, lives in western North America, breeding from 



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