CYPSELID^ — THE SWIFTS. 



425 



line of junction seen in all the others, including the male from Guatemala 

 (30,836, Duenas, Nov.). 



Habits. This new species was first discovered by Dr. Kennerly on Bill 

 Williams Fork, New Mexico, February 16, 1854. He speaks of it as a 

 very curious and interesting bird, found by him only among the canons of 

 that stream, and not observed 

 elsewhere during their journey. 

 Large flocks could be seen at any 

 time in the vicinity of those 

 canons, flying and circling around 

 very high, and far beyond the 

 reach of shot. Towards the close 

 of the day, when the sun had sunk 

 behind the hills, they occasionally 

 descended lower. He only met 

 with them where the walls of the 

 canons were very high, and con- 

 sisted of almost perpendicular 



masses of rock. At times they PanyptUa mdanoUuca. 



were seen to sweep low down, and then to ascend nearly perpendicularly 

 very near the stones, as if examining them in order to select a place for 

 their nests. The construction of these had obviously not then commenced. 

 Dr. Kennerly saw none engaged in the w^ork, nor did he observe any old 

 nests, unless they build after the manner of the common Cliff Swallow, 

 which were also abundant in that region. Mr. Mollhausen was of the 

 opinion that these birds build in the holes and crevices of the cliffs. In 

 their flight and habits they appeared to closely resemble the common 

 Chmtura pelagica. 



Dr. Heermann met with this species several times, first in San Fernando 

 Pass, near Los Angelos, and again near Palm Spring, between the Colorado 

 desert and Vallicita, at another time near Tucson, and once also in Texas. 

 He always found them flying at a great height, either far beyond or on the 

 extreme limit of gunshot range. From the extent of their wings they 

 seemed formed to live in the air, where they pass most of their time gliding 

 about in extensive circles, with apparently very little motion of the wings. 

 During pleasant weather they found their insect prey in the upper air, but, 

 when cloudy or rainy, they flew nearer the ground in their pursuit. When 

 on the ground, they were observed to rise with difficulty, owing to the 

 shortness of their legs and the length of their wings. When they rest, 

 they always alight on some elevated point whence they can throw them- 

 selves into the air, and take to wing. Numbers were observed flying 

 about the rocks near Tucson, but none were heard to utter a note. They 

 were sociable among themselves, gathering in large flocks, but never 

 mingled with the Swallows. He states that they construct their nests in 



VOL. II. 54 



