THE BANK SWALLOW. 
330 
protection of some sturdy fir roots below ground, brought off a brood on 
Fifty-fifth Street, near my home. 
Unlike the Bank Swallows, the Rough-wings do not colonize to any great 
extent, but are rather solitary. Favorable conditions may attract several pairs 
to a given spot, as a gravel pit, but when together they are little given to 
community functions. 
These Swallows are pretty evenly distributed thruout the length and 
breadth of the State, save that they do not venture into high altitudes. Since 
they are so catholic in taste, it would seem that they are destined to flourish. 
They are possibly now to be considered, after the Cliff Swallow, the most nu- 
merous species. I found them regularly along the west Olympic Coast in the 
summer of 1906; and, with Mr. Edson, of Bellingham, in June, 1905, found 
a single pair nesting in characteristic isolation on Bare Island, off Waldron. 
Further than this, the bird under consideration resembles the other bird 
quite closely in notes, in habits, and in general appearance, and requires sharp 
distinction in accordance with the suggestions given above under “Recognition 
Marks.” 
No. 129. 
BANK SWALLOW. 
ae O. U. No. 616. Riparia riparia (Linn). 
Synonym.—Sanp Martin. 
Description — Adult: Upperparts plain, brownish gray; wings fuscous; 
throat and belly white; a brownish gray band across the breast; a tiny tuft of 
feathers above the hind toe. There is some variation in the extent of the pectoral 
band; it is sometimes produced indistinctly backward, and sometimes even inter- 
rupted. Length 5.00-5.25 (127-133.3); wing 3.95 (100.3); tail 1.97 (50); bill 
from nostril .20 (5.1). 
Recognition Marks.—Smallest of the Swallows; throat white; brownish 
gray pectoral band on white ground. 
Nesting.—WNest, at end of tunnels in banks, two or three feet in; a frail 
mat of straws and grasses and occasionally feathers. Breeds usually in colonies. 
Eggs, 4-6, sometimes 7, pure white. Av. size, .70x.49 (17.8x12.5). Season: 
June; one brood. 
General Range.—Northern Hemisphere; in America south to West Indies, 
Central America, and northern South America; breeding from the middle dis- 
tricts of the United States northward to about the limit of trees. 
Range in Washington.—Summer resident; not common. A few large 
colonies are known east of the Cascades; westerly they are rare or wanting. 
Migrations.—S pring: May 11, 1896, Chelan. 
