HIRUNDINID^ — THE SAVALLOWS— COTYLE. 



100 



Genus COTYLE, Boie. 



Cotyle, Boie, Isis, 1822, 550. (Type, //. rijiaria.) 



Gex. Char. Bill very flat, extrumt-ly broad at tbf base, and gradually narrowed to- 

 wards tile tip ; nostrils prominent and rounded. Tail moderate, nearly straight or some- 



what emarginated. Tarsi rather shorter than the middle toe, slender, and scutellate. 

 Toes very slender, the claws slightly curved. Colors generally dull brown above, without 

 gloss. 



C. riparia. 



The birds of tlii.s genus are among the plaine.st colored of the family, 

 lacking entirely the beautiful metallic or velvety lustre characterizing 

 most of the swallows. They belong essentially to the vicinity of the water, 

 always nesting in its banks or near to them, excavating holes, or occupy- 



ing crevices between rocks and stones. 



