Birds of Oregon and Washington 105 



This member of the family is not nearly so 

 numerous on this coast as the Violet-green or 

 the Cliff Swallow ; but it is common enough 

 about our sloughs to be easily identified. 



No detailed description of the bird is pos- 

 sible or needed, as it has just the two colors 

 given in the "General Description." Indeed, 

 its scientific name has in it the word '^ bi-col- 

 or." The female is a little duller in color than 

 the male. 



Like other Swallows, it is found, when nest- 

 ing, near its home ; but before and after, it cov- 

 ers the open country in its rapid flight, search- 

 ing for insects. 



A summer resident. The first of the Swal- 

 lows to appear and the last to disappear in north- 

 ern latitudes in the East. Here, it is reported 

 to be the first to leave. 



Sometimes when insect food is scarce, this 

 bird eats bayberries ; but it is the only Swallow 

 that ever eats anything but insects. 



This is the only one of the family, too, that 

 spends the winter in the United States — the 

 others wintering in South America. 



