ZOOLOGY. 185 



Moderately abundant about the basaltic cliffs near Fort Dalles, Oregon Territory, where it 

 makes its appearance in the spring simultaneously with H. bicolor and H. thalassina, but is not 

 so numerously found. S. 



HIRUNDO BICOLOR, Vieillot. 



White-bellied Swallow. 



Hirundo bicolor, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 61; pi. xxxi. ATTDUBON, Orn. Biog. 1831, 491; pi. 98. IB. 

 Syn. 1839, 35. IB. Birds Amer. !, 1840, 175; pi. 46. CASSIV, Illust. I, 1855. 244. BREWER 

 N. Am. Oology, I, 1857, 100; pi. iv, fig. 47. (Egg.) BAIRD, Gen. Rep. Birds, p. 310. 



Herse bicolor, BONAP. Conspectus, 1830, 341. 



Hirundo vvidis, WILSON, Am. Orn. V. 1812, 49; pi. xxxviii. 



Sp. CH. Glossy metallic green above ; entirely white beneath. Female much duller in color. 

 Length, 6 to 6.25 inches ; extent, 3.50 ; wing, 5.00 ; tail, 2.65. Iris and feet, brown ; bill, black. 

 Hub. North America, from Atlantic to Pacific. 



The white bellied swallow is another common species in the western portions of the Territory, 

 building even along the damp and windy coast generally shunned by small land birds. It builds 

 in hollow trees, and does not appear to seek the accommodations of a box or knot-hole in a 

 building. C. 



Specimens of this bird, or of the California variety, mentioned by Cassin, (vide synopsis,) 

 were obtained by me both at Fort Steilacoom, W. T., and Fort Dalles. They arrive in the 

 spring simultaneously with the H. thalassina. Although riot nearly so plentiful as the latter 

 species, they exceed in number the H. lunifrons. S. 



HIRUNDO THALASSINA, Swains on. 



Violet-green Swallow. 



Hirundo thalassina, SWAINSON, Taylor s Philos. Mag. I, 1827, 365; AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 597; pi. 385.- 

 IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 186; pi. 49. CASSIN, Illust. I, 1855, 245. BREWER, N. Am. 

 Oology, I, 1857, 102; pi. v, f. 74. (Egg.) BAIRD, Gen. Rep. Birds, p. 311. 



Sp. CH. Tail acutely emarginate. Beneath pure white. Above soft velvety green, with a very faint shade of purplish 

 violet concentrated on the nape into a transverse band. Rump rather more vivid green ; tail coverts showing a good deal of 

 purple. Colors of female much more obscure. 



Length, 4.75 to 5 , extent, 12.25 ; wing, 4.50 ; tail, 2. Male: length, 5 ; extent, 12 inches. Iris, brown ; feet, paler ; 

 bill, black. 



Hab. Rocky mountains to Pacific ; south to Mexico ; east to Saltillo, Mexico. 



The brilliant little sea-green swallow arrives at Puget Sound early in May, with the other 

 species, and frequents entirely the high prairies bordered with oaks and other deciduous trees. 

 It builds in the knot-holes of these trees, or in deserted woodpecker s nests. It associates 

 much with the last species, which has similar habits. Its song is varied and pleasing, but very 

 weak. I have never seen it along the cooler coast. C. 



This beautiful swallow is abundant throughout the interior of Oregon and Washington Terri 

 tories. I have observed it arrive at Puget Sound about the 10th of May, where it breeds and 

 remains as a summer resident. The place chosen for its nest is generally a knot-hole in oak or 

 other trees. In habits and mode of flight it scarcely differs from the other species of this 

 genus. S. 



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