NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



281 



6 I 6. Bank Swallow. Riparia riparia. 



Range. Whole of North America, north to the limit of trees, breeding from 

 the middle portions of the United States northward; winters south of our borders. 

 This dull-colored Swallow is grayish above and white below, 

 with a gray band across the breast, they breed in holes in embank- 

 ments, digging small tunnels from one to three feet in length, 

 enlarged and lined at the end with grass and feathers. During 

 May, June or July, according to latitude, they lay from four to six 

 pure white eggs; size .70 x .50. 



617. Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. 



Range. United States, breeding from Mexico north to southern New England, 

 Manitoba and British Columbia; winters south of our borders. 



This species is slightly larger than the last and similar but 

 with the throat and breast grayish and with the outer web of 

 the outer primary provided with recurved hooks. They nest in 

 holes in embankments, in crevices in cliffs or among stones of 

 bridges or buildings. Their eggs are like those of the Bank 

 Swallow but average a trifle larger; size .75 x .52. [White.] 



WAXWINGS. Family AMPELID/E. 



618. Bohemian Waxwing. Ampelis garrulus. 



Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions except in the Rockies where it nearly 

 reaches the United States; winters south to the northern tier of states. 



This handsome crested, grayish brown Waxwing resembles 

 the common Cedar Waxwing but is larger (length 8 inches), 

 has a black throat, much white and yellow on the wing and a 

 yellow tip to tail. Their nests are made of rootlets, grass and 

 moss, and situated in trees usually at a low elevation. The 

 eggs resemble those of the Cedar bird but are larger and the 

 [Dull bluish.] marking more blotchy with indistinct edges; dull bluish 

 blotched with blackish brown; size .95 x .70. Data. Great Slave Lake, June 

 23, 1884. Nest in a willow 8 feet from the ground. Collected for Josiah Hooper. 

 (Crandall collection). 



619. Cedar Waxwing. Ampelis cedrorum. 



Range. Whole of temperate North America, breeding in the northern half of 

 the United States and northward. 



These birds are very gregarious and go in large flocks dur- 

 ing the greater part of the year, splitting up into smaller com- 

 panies during the breeding season and nesting in orchards or 

 groves and in any kind of tree either in an upright crotch or 

 on a horizontal bough; the nests are made of grasses, strips of 

 bark, moss, string, etc., and are often quite bulky. Their 

 eu r ,t, r * are of a dull grayish blue color sharply speckled with fr)ull | )luish 

 blackish brown; size .85 x .60. Data. Old Saybrook. 

 Conn., June 22, 1900. Nest composed of cinquefoil vines, grasses, wool and 

 cottony substances; situated on an apple tree branch about 10 feet from the 

 ground. Collector, John N. Clark. This species has a special fondness for 

 cherries, both wild and cultivated, and they are often known as Cherry-birds. 

 They also feed upon various berries, and frequently catch insects in the air after 

 the manner of Flycatchers. Their only notes are a strange lisping sound often 

 barely audible. 



