CYPSELID.E — THE SWIFTS. 435 



Chsetura (pelagica var. ?) vauxi, (Towns.) DeKay. 



OREGON CHIMNEY SWIFT. 



Cijpselus vauxi, Townsend, J. A. N. Sc. VIII, 1839, 148 (Columbia River). — Ib. Narrative, 

 1839. Chcetura vauxi, DeKay, N". Y. Zool. II, 1844, 36. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 

 145, pi. xviii. — ScLATER, Cat. 282. — 1b. P. Z. S. 1863, 100 (Guatemala). — Kenner- 

 LY, P. R. R. X, b, pi. xviii, f. 2. — Cooper & Suckley, 165. — Cooi'er, Orn. Cal. I, 

 1870, 351. Acanthylis vauxi, Bonap. Comptes Rendus, XXVIII, 1854; notes Delattre, 

 90. — Cassin, III. I, 1855, 250. —Newberry, ZooI. Cal. and Or. Route, 78 ; P. R. R. 

 Surv. VI, 1857. 



Sp. Char. Light sooty-brown ; rump and under parts paler ; lightest on the chin and 

 throat. Length, 4.50; wing, 4.75; tail, 1.90. 



Hab. Pacific coast, from Puget's Sound to California. West coast to Gruatemala (Scl. 

 P. Z. S. 1863, 100) ; Yucatan (Lawr. Ann. K Y. Lye. IX, 204). 



This species bears a very close resemblance to the common Chimney Swal- 

 low of the Eastern States, being only readily distinguishable by its much 

 smaller size, 4.50 inches instead of 5.25. The wing, too, is nearly an inch 

 shorter. The tarsus and the middle toe, however, seem absolutely longer. 

 The rump is a little paler than in C. pelagica, as well as the under parts, 

 where the chin and throat are lighter, almost dirty white, and gradually 

 becoming a little darker behind, although even the hinder part of the belly 

 is much lighter than the back, even in strong contrast, instead of being of 

 the same color with it. Guatemalan specimens are much darker. 



Habits. This western Swift was first discovered by Mr. Townsend on the 

 Columbia Eiver, where he found it having the primitive habits of the eastern 

 species^ and breeding in hollow trees, forming a nest in a similar manner, and 

 laying four pure-white eggs. It differs from the common bird in its smaller 

 size and lighter color. It is said to occur from Puget Sound to California. 



Dr. Cooper met with these birds May 4, 1864, in the Coast Eange, twelve 

 miles south of Santa Clara. He was of the opinion that they had nests in 

 hollow trees at the summit of the mountains, but he was not able to find 

 any. He did not observe any at Fort Vancouver in the summer of 1853, 

 nor did he learn whether these birds are found in the central valleys of 

 California. In 1866 they were observed to make their first appearance at 

 Santa Cruz on the 4th of May, though as they rarely descended to the town 

 they might have been on the hills earlier than this. On the 5th of October 

 he observed five of tliem, in company with a large flock of Hirundo hicolor, 

 spending the morning in hunting insects near the town. They were apparent- 

 ly delayed in their migration southward by a thick fog and cold south-wind. 

 They may have been a late brood from the north. 



Dr. Kennerly obtained a single specimen of tliis species at the Straits of 

 Fuca, showing that these birds sometimes extend their migrations up to the 

 49th parallel. Neither Dr. Suckley nor Dr. Cooper was able to find this 

 Swift anywhere in Washington Territory. 



