188 BIRD6 OF BERMUDA. 



Sah. — Eastern Province United States, north to about 40°, west to 

 borders of the plains. In winter, south through the whole of Middle 

 America (except the Pacific coast) as far as Ecuador and Peru, Cuba, 

 Jamaica. (B. B. & R.) 



The same remarks apply to this species, with reference to its visits 

 to the islands, as to the preceding, it appears to have been especially 

 numerous in April, 1850, when a female was shot on the 9th ; a beau- 

 tiful male, by Colonel Wedderburu, at Peniston's Pond, on the 19th ; two 

 by the same gentleman, at Harris's Bay, on the 20th ; and several others. 

 Mr. Bartram has a male and two females, one of the latter killed a year 

 or two since. On the 29th of April, 1875, 1 shot a fine female in Smith's 

 Marsh; it was in wonderful condition, the body being literally coated 

 with layers of orange-colored fat. The stomach was full of the remains 

 of the Bermuda wasp — a most unpalatable-looking morsel. Wilson al 

 ludes to the insectiverous habits of this species. 



Family HIRUNDINID^. 



Sub-family HIRUNDIKIN^. 



Genus Hirundo, Linn. 



31. Hirundo horreoruni, Barton. Barn Swallow. 



Hirundo rufa, Vieil., Bp., Nutt., Woodb., Cass., Cab., Brewer. 

 Hirundo horreorum, Bartou, Bd., and of late writers. 

 Hirundo amcricana, Wils., Sw. «& Ricb.,Lemb. 

 Hirundo rustica, Ord., Gir., Jones 



Length, 6.90 ; wing, 5.00 ; tail, 4.50. 



Hah. — North and Middle America, north to Alaska ; Greenland ; West 

 Indies. (Cones.) 



I shall take the liberty of quoting from the "Naturalist in Bermuda," 

 to illustrate the uncertain appearance of the swallow tribe in the islands. 

 Mr. Hurdis says (p. 68): "I can with safety affirm that from October, 

 1840, to September 12, 1846, not a swallow of any description came 

 under my observation, though I believe they were sufficiently common 

 in the September of the former year."" Colonel Wedderburn says of this 

 species (p. 34) : "Rarely seen in April and May, but sometimes nuuier- 

 ous in August and September. I have seen it as early as August 1, in 

 the year 1848, at Hamilton, and they were numerous on that day at 

 Hungry Bay and Riddle's Bay. This species was very numerous iu the 

 great flight of swallows in September, 1849." A few swallows, probably 

 of this species, appeared in August, 1874, but I was away at the time. 



