4.4.6 LAND BIRDS 
side of rump, often close enough to form a band ; under parts white ; 
ear-coverts and line above posterior half of eye pure white. 
Adult Female: Similar to male, but smaller and duller; ear-coverts and 
hind-neck dull grayish. 
Young: Upper parts entirely dull brownish slate; feathers of under 
parts grayish beneath the surface. 
Geographical Distribution: Western United States, east to the Rocky 
Mountains, south in winter to Costa Rica, north to Alaska. 
California Breeding Range: In Transition zone nearly throughout the 
State. 
Breeding Season: May and June. 
Nest: In cliffs. hollow trees, under eaves of houses, etc.; made of dry 
grasses ; lined with feathers. 
Eggs: 4or 5; pure white. Size 0.74 X 0.52. 
THe Violet-green Swallow is a 
strikingly beautiful bird both in form 
and coloring. Although its plumage 
lacks somewhat of the lustre of 
the other swallows, the bright 
green-and-violet effects of the 
upper parts render it 
unique among its kind. 
It is a lover of» pine 
woods and mountain for- 
ests, but where these 
are scarce, it makes its 
home among the bare 
| ‘i cliffs, nesting in crey- 
3 a PR i ices in the rocks. In 
California all of the nests 
pr I have found have been in de- 
615. Norruprn Viotetr- serted woodpecker excavations 
Piney ate." which the Swallows had filled 
and mountain forests.” with feathers and bits of grass. 
