COTYLE RirAKIA. 445 



COTYLE niPATJIA. 

 Batik Swallow. 



nirinido riparia, LiNN., Syst. Nat., I, 1700, 344. 



Gofulr riparid, BoiE, Isis, 1822, 550.— P.aiud, B. K Am., 1858, .31.'? ; Catal., 1850, 

 No. 220; Review, 1805, 319.— (Jooper, Orii. Cal., 110.— CouES, Key, 1872, 

 114; Cbeck List, 1873, No. 1 15 ; B. N.W., 1874, 00.— B. B. & R., Hist. N. Ant. 

 B., I, 1874, 353, pi. xvi, Oy. 14.— Uensiiaw, 1S75, 220. 



The distribution of the common Bank Swallow Avas the same as that 

 of the Rough-winged species, but it was everywhere less abundant. AVe 

 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 unfailing mark by which to distinguish the present species, the lower 

 parts of the Rough-winged Swallow being uniform mouse-color, gn)\\ iug 

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

 and more graceful, more like that of the species of Tavhijciucfa, or ti-ue 

 Iliniixh. 



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 nundjers every 

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

 il'w individuals of the Rough-winged and White-bellied species were sui-e 

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

 cotton-woods uear 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. Tliis soon became the most abundant species, 

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

 few individuals of the Violet-green and Bank Swallows, the latter l)eiug the 

 least numerous of all. In one evening, as we sat on the grassy l);nik of this 

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



Lint of specimens. 

 1410, 1411, 1412, eggs. Valley of Weber River, June, 1800. [.1. G. Olmstead.J 



