338 



XORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



blotches, and points of rt'ddisli-ltrown. These nmikings vary greatly in size, 

 number, and distribution. They are usually ehietly about the larger end. 

 In sliape they are usually less eh)ngated than tliose of the P>arn Swallow, and 

 their markings are larger. This is not, however, invarialde, and the two 

 kinds are not always distinguishable. In length they vary from .875 of an 

 inch to .75, and their average breadth is .GO. 



(iEXLs HIRUNDO, Linn. 



Ilirundo, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1, loth id. 1758, 191. (Type, H. nusfica, Linn J 



Under the generic head of Hinindo I propose to combine several grou}>s 



of American Swallows 

 agreeing in moderate, 

 depressed bill, with 

 straight commissure, 

 and lateral nostrils 

 overhung by mem- 

 l)rane; the tarsi feath- 

 ered only at the upper 

 end, or else entirely 

 bare; the lateral claws 

 moderate, not extend- 

 ing beyond the base 

 of the median ; the edge of the outer primary without hooks ; the tail varia- 

 ble in character, from a very deep fork to a slight emargination only. 



Subgenera. 



Tarsi sliijlitly feathered on inner face at upper end ; eiiual in length to middle toe 

 without claw. 



Tail very deeply Oirked . • . • • • • TUrnndo. 



Tail sliiihtly forked or emartrinatc .....•• Torhtjnnehi. 



Tar.«i entirely naked; lenrrthene(l eipial to middle toe and half its elaw. 



Tail considerably forked CnUichelidou' 



Ifiruniio horrenrum. 



SuH(;KNrs HIRUNDO, Linn. 



r.KN. CnAR. Xostrik lateral. Tar.^i short, not cxceedinjr mi<ldle toe without its elaw ; 

 the upper joint covered with feathers, which extend a short distance alonpr the inner face 

 of tarsus. Tail Very deeply forked; the lateral f-atiier much attenuated, twice as loufj as 

 the middle. Basal joint of middle toe free for Terminal fourth on outside, for half on 

 inside. Nest partly of mud. and lined witii feathers; e£r<rs s[)otted. 



In type, and in American species, the forehead and throat rufous; ii black pectoral collar; 

 tail-feathers with laige lii.dit spots on inner webs. 



1 t'. ci/if,iinciriifis, linvANT: liMUD, Kev. 3(i:{ (liahaiiias). 



