Birds of Oregon and Washington 107 



to the beams or rafters overhead, where can be 

 heard all day the soft purr and sweet chatter 

 of old and young in their peaceful domestic 

 life. 



All Swallows are miracles upon the wing ; but 

 no other of the family has the equipment for 

 speed and sudden turn that this one has — the 

 forked tail and a little stronger wing furnishing 

 him with the power for this excellence. 



In coloring, this Swallow need not be 

 ashamed, for, in addition to the rich, lustrous 

 blue of its back, its chestnut breast glistens in 

 the sun like a polished surface. 



Though the Swallows on the beams and raft- 

 ers do soil somewhat our barns and sheds, is 

 not the pleasure they give in their sweet fellow- 

 ship of home-making, and in their ministry of 

 beauty, ample reward .? 



Particular Description. — Male : Forehead, ru- 

 fous ; head and back, glistening steel-blue, shading to 

 black ; throat, rufous ; breast and under parts, brilliant 

 buff that glistens in the sun ; an irregular collar of bluish- 

 black ; tail, very deeply forked, with long, slender outer 

 tail-feathers. 



Summer resident. 



