340 NOETH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



tail-feathers, and in having a very broad, continuous collar of steel-blue 

 across the jugulum, entirely isolating the chestnut of the throat; the abdo- 

 ]nen appears to be nnich more whitish than in the American species. 



Many specimens of H. horreorum show a continuous collar, but then the 

 two lateral crescents are but just barely connected. In No. 2,191 9 , Carlisle, 

 Penn., May, there is an indication of as broad a collar as in the European 

 species ; but the area, though sharply bounded, is not uniformly black, being 

 much mixed centrally with light rufous. 



Specimens of H. horreorum froni both coasts of North America appear to 

 be perfectly identical. 



Habits. No one of all our North American birds is more widely diffused, 

 more generally abundant, wherever found, or better known, than the graceful 

 and familiar Barn Swallow. And no one is more universally or more 

 deserv'edly a favorite. Found throughout North America from Florida to 

 Cireenlaud and from ocean to ocean, and breeding nearly throughout the 

 same wide extent, its distribution is universal. Venturing with a confiding 

 trust into our crowded cities, and building their elaborate nests in the 

 porclies of the dwellings, as well as entering in greater numbers the barns 

 ;ind farm-buildings of the agriculturists and placing themselves under 

 the protection of man, they rarely fail to win for themselves the interest and 

 good- will they so well deserve. Innocent and blameless in their lives, there 

 is no evil blended with the many benefits they confer on man. They are his 

 I'ver-constant benefactor and friend, and are never known, even indirectly, to 

 do him any injury. For their daily food, and for that of their offspring, 

 they destroy the insects that annoy his cattle, injure his fruit-trees, sting 

 his fruit, or molest liis person. Social, affectionate, and kind in their inter- 

 course with each other ; faithful and devoted in the discharge of their conju- 

 gal and parental duties ; exemplary, watchful, and tender alike to their own 

 family and to all their race ; sympathizing and benevolent when their fel- 

 lows are in any trouble, — these lovely and beautiful birds are briglit exam- 

 ples to all, in their blameless and useful lives. 



This Swallow passes the winter months in Central and Soutli America as 

 far .south as Brazil and Paraguay, and the West Indies, and is found through- 

 out the year in the Plateau of Mexico. It appears in the Southern States 

 in jMarch, and in the Central States early in April. In the latter part of this 

 month it reaches New York and New England, becoming abundant near 

 Boston about the first of May. Sir John Ptichardson found them breeding 

 as far north as latitude 67° 30'. Tliey reached Fort Chippewyan, latitude 

 57°, as early as the 15th of May, taking possession of their nests. It has 

 been found throughout Canada and in all the British Provinces, has been 

 met with in New Mexico, and is common in certain portions of Texas and 

 the Indian Territory. Dr. Cooper states it to be less abundant on the Pacific 

 than on the Eastern coast, — a fact attributable to the lack of suitable places 

 in which to build. As settlements have multiplied, these birds have gradu- 



