SMALL SAILING AND SKIMMING BIRDS 



(Swallows.) 



See plate three 



6 1 1. Purple Martin— Pr og nc subis subis. 

 Length 8 inches. 



Male — Glossy black with brilliant bluish and 

 purple reflections. Female — Upperparts duller 

 than male; underparts brownish gray, except white 

 belly. 



The largest of the swallow family. Often nests 

 in colonies in bird-houses and under the cornices 

 of office buildings. 



612. Cliff Swallow — Petrochelidon lunifrons 

 lunifrons. 



Sparrow-size. Length 6 inches. 



Forehead whitish; throat and sides of head 

 chestnut; upper tail-coverts buffy; tail nearly 

 square. 



Builds mud nests under the eaves on the outside 

 of barns; nests in colonies. 



613. Barn Swallow — Hirundo erythrogaster. 

 Sparrow-size. Length 7 inches. 



Male — Tail deeply forked; upper breast, throat 

 and forehead bright chestnut; lower breast and be- 

 low the same, except lighter; upperparts steel-blue. 

 Female — Similar. 



Nests inside the barn or other building; the nest, 

 of mud, cup-like, open at the top. 



614. Tree Swallow — Iridoprocne bicolor. 

 Sparrow-size. Length 5^ inches. 



Upperparts steel-blue or steel-green; underparts 

 white. 



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