INSESSORES: HIRUNDINIDjE. 185 



ern North America, is four and three quarters inches long, 

 the wing four and a half inches, the tail acutely emargi- 

 nate ; the color green above, pure white below. 



The Edible Swallow-nest Swallow, H. esculeiita, Linn., 

 is a very small species of the East Indies, whose nests, 

 composed of a whitish gelatinous substance, are held in 

 high estimation by epicures, and which constitute an im- 

 portant article of commerce. 



The Genus Cotyle is distinguished from Hirundo by the 

 slightly forked tail, very slender toes, and dull color. 



The Bank Swallow, C. riparia, Boie, of North America, 

 is four and three quarters inches long, the wing four inches ; 

 the upper parts grayish brown, under parts white, with a 

 band across the breast like the back. 



The Rough-winged Swallow, C. serripmnis, Bonap., of 

 North America, is four and a half inches long, the first 

 primary with the outer web much stiffened ; the color 

 sooty brown above, grayish beneath. 



The Genus Progne has the bill strong and short, toes 

 long and strong, and the size is the largest of the family. 



The Purple Martin, P. purpurea, Boie, of North Amer- 

 ica, is seven and three tenths inches long, the wing less 

 than six inches ; the color glossy steel-blue, with purple 

 and violet reflections. 



It need scarcely be stated, that the notion which some 

 entertain, that swallows spend the winter at the bottom 

 of ponds, is entirely erroneous. 



BOMBYCILLID.E, OR WAXWING FAMILY. This Family 

 comprises birds with the bill short, broad, much de- 

 pressed, and the gape opening to the eyes ; both man- 

 dibles notched, the upper with a tooth behind the notch, 

 the outer lateral toe the longest, and the head generally 

 crested. 



The Genus Ampelis Waxwings has the tail even, 

 and some of the quills with horny appendages that look 

 like sealing-wax. 



