COTYLE RIPAKIA. 445 



COTYLE RIPAKIA. 



Bank Swallow. 



Hirundo r'qmria, Linn., Syst. N;it., I, 17CC, 344. 



Cotijle riparia, BoiE, Isis, 1822, SoO.—Baird, B. N. Am., 1858, .^l.T; Catal., 1839, 

 No. 229; Review, 180"., .UO.— CooPKit, Oni. Cal., 110.— Coues, Key, 1872, 

 114 ; Check List, 1873, No. 11.") ; B. N.W., 1874, 90.-1!. B. & R., Uist. N. Am. 

 B., I, 1874, 353, pi, xvi, fig. 14.— Hensiiaw, 1875, 220. 



The disti-ibution of the common Bank Swallow was the same as that 

 of the Kougli-winged species, but it was everywhere less abundant. We 

 never found it except when associated with the latter bird, and its habits 

 and appearance seemed so much the same that it required somewhat close 

 observation to distinguish them readily. The pure white lower parts, 

 crossed by a dusky band across the breast, however, served as a good 

 and unfoiling mark by which to distinguish the present species, the lower 

 parts of the Hough-winged Swallow being uniform mouse-color, growing 

 gradually paler behind ; while the flight of the Bank Swallow is swifter 

 and more graceful, more like that of the species of Tachycineta, or true 

 Hirundo. 



While on the Truckee Reservation, in May, it was daily our custom to 

 visit a small pond, situated in a broad meadow, for the purpose of studying 

 the several species of Swallows which came there in large nunibei*s every 

 evening. Having taken our post of observation a little before sunset, a 

 few individuals of the Rough-winged and White-bellied species were sure 

 to be already there, having but a iaw rods to come from the ravines and 

 cotton-woods near by. In a short time the Barn Swallows would make 

 their appearance, gliding easily and swiftly over the surface of the water in 

 pursuit of their insect-food. This soon became the most aliiiudant species, 

 excepting the Cliff Swallow, there having arrived in the meantime a very 

 few individuals of the Violet-green and Bank Swallows, the latter being the 

 least numerous of all. In one evening, as we sat on the ffrassv bank of this 

 pond, we killed specimens of each of these species as they flew l)y us. 



Lint of specimem. * 



1410, 1411, 1412, eggs. Viilley of Weber River, June, 18G9. [J. C. Olnistcad.J 



