190 



in May (9, 1872; 13, 1873; 9, 1874; 14, 1875; 12, 1876: 15, 1877; 3, 

 1878; 8, 1879), remaining till October (3, 1874; 8, 1876; 4, 1878). 

 This gorgeously plumaged species is numerous in summer. It com- 

 mences to incubate its eggs early in June ; took nests containing the 

 full complement of eggs June 4 and 6, 1877. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of forty-three specimens: 

 length, 7-25; stretch, 11-85; wing, 3*74; tail, 2-69; bill from nostril, 

 •46; gape, -76; tarsus, -77; middle toe, -52; its claw, -25. 



Family, HIRUNDINIDJES. 



53. Hirundo erythrogastra, Boddaert. American Barn Swal- 

 low. An abundant summer resident; breeds. Arrives in April (27, 

 1872; 29, 1873; 25, 1874; 30, 1875; 30, 1876; 23, 1877; 23, 1878; 22, 

 1879), remaining until some time in September (19, 1874; 12, 1876; 6, 

 1879). It begins to build the last of May, and its eggs are deposited 

 early in June. 



I recently had an opportunity of observing the actions of the Swal- 

 lows when congregated preparatory to taking their departure to the 

 South, and overtaken by a severe and protracted rain-storm. The 

 locality was a secluded pond, where no buildings atforded them pro- 

 tection, even at night. It was the third day of the storm, and nearly 

 evening, when I visited the spot. The Swallows were sitting in cir- 

 cular lines upon some pryamidal shaped rocks out in the water, where 

 they spent most of the time, their dripping rows making a very pitiful 

 spectacle. At times a small band would rise with great exertion and 

 attempt to fly to the shore, where they alighted upon the nearest 

 object in utter exhaustion ; some of them upon the stones at my very 

 feet. I splashed a large stone into the water close to one of the 

 rocks, when a number of frightened ones flew up, and were obliged to 

 struggle hard to reach the shore, owing to the severe wind that pre- 

 vailed. Their flight was very labored and irregular, and broken by 

 frequent unsuccessful attempts to execute those graceful evolutions 

 which they accomplish with such admirable dexterity and ease at 

 other times ; they flew so slowly that they might easily have been 

 overtaken and captured. Besides the present species, there were, 

 also, numbers of Bank Swallows {Cotyle riparia^, which seemed even 

 more distressed than were the Barn Swallows. It was a sad sight, to 

 see the poor little brown and blue-backed fellows, panting upon the 

 ground after their desparate elfort, so reduced by hunger, fatigue and 

 long-continued exposure to the storm. I wished, in vain, that I might 

 relieve their distress; but Nature — more potent than man — came to 

 their aid : the following day broke clear as a bell, and the sun rose 

 warm and bright; and when I visited the pond at sunrise, the Swal- 

 lows were seen busily engaged in procuring food, and appearing as 

 happy as ever. 



