HIRUNDO RUFA — THE BARN SWALLOW. 265 



Europe it is considered very "unlucky" to even acci- 

 dentally destroy one of their nests. It would be well if 

 the idle boys about our cities were imbued with a little of 

 this same feeling, as then the poor little Bank Swallow 

 might rear its young in peace in the vicinity of our cities 

 and towns. 



The coming of the swallows in the spring is welcomed in 

 every land. They are hailed as the harbingers of clear 

 skies, sunshine and warm breezes, fit companions to the 

 buds and flowers of spring. They all take their flight to 

 the south, when autumn comes, leaving us for climes that 

 never feel the icy chains of winter. Our bleak, wintry 

 skies and piercing winds are poorly adapted to their sunny 

 natures, and our woods and fields are utterly unable to 

 supply them with food during that inclement season. Occa- 

 sionally the Barn Swallow comes back too early, and a sud- 

 den snow storm deprives him of food. 



A few years ago a heavy snow storm, at the end of April, 

 after these swallows had come, caused the death of many. 

 We picked up several that had evidently died from expo- 

 sure and a probable want of food. 



Genus Hirundo, Linn. 



Nostrils basal, small, oblong, and covered partly by a 

 membrane ; tail more or less forked, the outer lateral 

 feather sometimes greatly lengthened. Tarsi shorter than 

 the middle toe, and sculellated, naked; toes long, slender, 

 the lateral ones unequal; claws moderate, curved, acute. 



Hirundo Eufa, Viellot. — The Barn Swallow. 



Audubon's Bird's of America, Octavo edition, I., plate 48. 



We have given the specific name rufa in preference to 

 that of horreortim^ of Barton, or rustiea, of Audubon, as it 



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