Hirundo fulva of Vieillot. 1 60 



latter is well distinguished by having the outer tail feather on 

 each side twice as long as the rest. 



There are numerous mountains in the vicinity of the place 

 where these birds first appeared, and from which they may 

 have migrated to the habitations of man. They have cer- 

 tainly not been long known as residents in this region. The 

 yellowish brown rump distinguishes them very obviously 

 when on the wing from other Hirundines, and the construction 

 of their nests exhibit a difference palpable to the most com- 

 mon observation. 



The history of this swallow is certainly curious, and its 

 appearance at different places and at different periods, goes to 

 show that it is a stranger which has taken up its residence 

 among us, increasing in numbers and extending its columns. 



I cannot close without observing that all our swallows, ex- 

 cept the sand martin, have selected our houses and out-houses 

 for nidification and temporary habitation, and the benefit we 

 derive from the consequent destruction of annoying and per- 

 nicious insects, must be very extensive. 



Note. Since the preceding was in type, Mr. Audubon,* 

 has favoured the Lyceum with the following additional infor- 

 mation respecting this remarkable species. 



In the spring of 1815, I saw a few of these birds for the 

 first time at Henderson, 120 miles below the falls of the Ohio, 

 on the banks of that river. It was an excessively cold morn- 

 ing in the month of March, and nearly all were killed by the 



* This gentleman, with an enthusiasm only equalled by that of our 

 lamented Wilson, has devoted nearly twenty years to the study of Ameri- 

 can Ornithology. He has followed the birds into their most secret haunts, 

 and traversed the United States in almost every direction. To the learn- 

 ing' of a naturalist, he uuites the skill of an artist, and his magnificent col- 

 lection of drawings, representing four hundred species, excels any thing 

 of the kind in this country, and has probably never been surpassed in 

 Europe. — Com. Pith. 



