50 BIRDS OF P. E. ISLAND. 



(ChcEiura Pelasgica) 



This bird, though popularly called "Swallow," 

 is very distinct from the ordinary Swallows, Its 

 sooty - black color, sharp, quickly vibrating wings, 

 and very short tail mark it distinctly, wherever 

 seen coursing the summer blue. When the country 

 was in wilderness, these birds built in the hollows 

 of trees, hundreds sometimes occupying one hol- 

 low trunk, and going to and from their resort 

 in a black stream. The nest, now ordinarily 

 placed in chimneys, is built of twigs fastened to- 

 gether by the gelatinous saliva of the birds ; ir 

 contains four or five pure white eggs. 



^iimmincj-birb. 



Our Humming - bird is the Ruby - throated 

 (T?'ochilus colubris), the only one that wanders so 

 far from the floral riches of the tropics. Its upper 

 parts are golden - green, sides green, a metallic 

 gorget on its throat reflecting rich ruby red, 



