264 FAMILY HIRUNDININ^ — THE SWALLOWS. 



central feathers. The female is without this white band. 

 These white markings will enable any one to distinguish 

 between this species and the Whip-Poor- Will ; but the want 

 of the long bristles around the mouth, so conspicuous in the 

 latter species, and the greater length of wing, is sufficient 

 to settle any doubt in the matter. 



The length of the male is 9^ inches. 



There is a sjpecimen in the cabinet of Hon. William Case, 

 Cleveland. 



Family Hirundinid^. — Sub-Family Hikundinin^. — The 

 Swallows. 



Bill triangular, very short and broad, much depressed; 

 the ridge much less than half the head; the gonys two- 

 thirds this length, the gape extending to below the eye. 

 Primaries nine; the first longest, and, with the second, 

 considerably longer than the others; the secondaries and 

 tertials not reaching the middle of the primaries; the sec- 

 ondaries deep'y emarginate. Wings very long, reaching 

 beyond the commencement of the foik of the tail, which is 

 generally more or less deep. Tarsi scutellate, very short, 

 less than the latteral toes, the inner of which is more 

 deeply cleCt than the outer. — Baird. 



In Ohio we have five species belonging to this family, 

 the Ilirundo rufa^ II. lunifroyis., II. Jjicolor., Progne pur- 

 X>u6ra and Coiile riparia. C. serripenni8 is found in the 

 interior of Pennsylvania, and may yet be found in our own 

 State. 



The swallows are all handsome birds, of strong and rapid 

 flight, and are eminently fitted for pursuing the insect prey 

 on which they feed exclusively. They have always been 

 taken under the protection of man, and in many places in 



