niRUNDINIDiE. — HIRUNDO BICOLOR. 101 



regions. Sir John Hichardson found them breeding in hollow trees at Fort Nor- 

 man, on the Mackenzie lliver, in latitude 65°. They are spoken of by writers as 

 not so numerous as the Barn Swallow ; but this my own observations would lead m'e 

 to doubt. Along the Atlantic coast, from latitude 38° to the St. Lawrence, they are 

 our most common species. They are said to be equally abundant on the shores of 

 the Pacific and the banks of the Columbia EiA^er. They seem to be less abundant 

 in the interior, especially in the absence of water. 



If, as we presume to be the case, the species of the Pacific coast is identical with 

 this, the White-bellied Swallow has a range coextensive with the habitable por- 

 tions of North America, from the West India Islands to Greenland, on the Atlantic, 

 and from Southern California to the Russian possessions, on the AYestern coast. 

 Dr. Townsend observed it throughout Oregon ; Dr. Gambel, Dr. Heermann, and Mr. 

 Samuels met with it breeding in California ; Lembeye and Gundlach give it as one 

 of the common birds of Cuba (though not mentioned by Mr. Gosse as found in 

 Jamaica) ; and Dr. Woodhouse found it throughout the Indian Territories, Texas, 

 and New Mexico, as well as in California. 



This species, during the breeding season, is more quarrelsome than any other of 

 their relatives, and are quite a match even for the Purple Martin, upon whose prem- 

 ises they often intrude and keep possession. They evince a strong attachment to 

 their off"spring, and manifest great affliction when robbed of them, uttering low but 

 exceedingly plaintive complaints. When a pair of these Swallows have become fa- 

 miliarized to a certain locality, returning to it year after year, with a little pains it 

 is not difficult to enter into a limited intercourse with them, especially in supplying 

 them with the materials of their nest. Tv/o of these birds, who have for several 

 years occupied an old and rudely-constructed tenement in the Aery heart of Boston, 

 receive each year an abundant supply of feathers, almost from the very hands of the 

 members of the family under whose protection they find a shelter. Nearly all the 

 materials they used AA-ere feathers blown to them from the AvindoAV, AAhich with the 

 quickness of thought they Avould dart at and catch Avith their bills, and immediately 

 convey to their retreat. In time they became so familiar, as almost to take them 

 from the hands of the person Avho supplied them. This has been repeated several 

 seasons. When they have young just hatched, or eggs on the point of hatching, 

 they sit so close as to be easily taken on their nest. When taken and released, they 

 fly but a fcAV feet from their nest, hovering oxer the heads of the intruders. 



They construct a very loose, soft, warm nest of fine hay and leaves, abundantly 

 supplied with down and soft feathers, by Avhich the eggs are often found completely 

 covered. Great pains are apparently taken to keep the nest clean and dry by con- 

 stant additions of soft, dry materials during incubation. They have usually two 

 broods in a season. 



Their eggs are of a beautifully pure Avhite. When unbloAvn, they ha\'e a delicate 

 pinkish shade, imparted by the yolk. They are someAvhat oblong in shape, the 

 smaller ends are Avell defined and pointed, and the eggs are only subject to occa- 

 sional variations in size. Their measurements vary from -if to H of an inch in 

 length, and from j% to j% in breadth. 



