NORTH AMERICAN BIR1>K. 413 



616. BANK SWALLOW. Clivimla riitaria (Linn.) Geog. Dist. Northern 

 Hemisphere in general; in America, south in winter to Northern South America. 



The Bank Swallow, or Sand Martin, found throughout Europe, is also equally 

 common throughout North America, and. breeds in the greater part of its range. The 

 holes in which this bird nests are excavated by the bird in the perpendicular face 

 of sand or gravel banks; the depth ranges from two to four feet. The termination is 

 usually somewhat enlarged and the bottom is thinly covered with a few twigs, 

 grasses and feathers. In suitable localities immense numbers will occupy a large 

 bank and so perforate it with holes as to present the appearance of a huge honey- 

 comb alive with bees. From four to six* rarely seven, pure white eggs are deposited, 

 with an average size of .72x.50; five specimens measure .68x.52, .72x.49, .73x.51, 

 .72x.52. Average size .71x.50 inches. 



617. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, l^telffidopteryx serripennis (Aud.) Geog. 

 Dist. United States, from Atlantic to Pacific, and adjoining British Provinces (rare). 

 Rare in New England, except in Connecticut. 



This species and the Bank Swallow are often confounded. The Rough-winged, 

 however, is larger, has a more labored flight, lacks the pure white of under parts, 

 and the pectoral collar is incomplete and obscured. The booklets of the wings of 

 the present species are only fully developed in adult birds. The Rough-winged Swallow 

 breeds throughout most of its United States range, nesting in the crevices of stone 

 walls and arches over bridges, sometimes in a chink in the boarding of a building; 

 almost invariably over running water. The nesting season is in May and June. The 

 nest is simply constructed of grasses, straws, and lined with a few feathers. The 

 eggs are four to seven in number, pure white, and closely resemble those of the Bank 

 Swallow, but the shells are more tender, and they average a trifle larger, .75 x.53 

 inches. 



618. BOHEMIAN WAX-WING. Ampelis yarrulus Linn. Geog. Dist. North- 

 ern portions of the Northern Hemisphere. In America, south regularly to the 

 Northern tier of States, and in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado; irregularly or 

 casually to about 35 (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico 

 and Arizona). 



The Bohemian Wax-wing looks like the Cedar-bird, but is much larger. It is a 

 restless, roving species, and its visits in the Northern States are uncertain. Breeds 

 in high latitudes, and in the West down to the United States border in the Rocky 

 Mountains. Its nest has been found by Mr. Kennicott on the Yukon, and by Mr. 

 McFarlane in the Anderson River region. Its nesting is substantially the same as 

 that of the Cedar Wax-wing. Captain B. F. Goss has a set of four eggs of this spe- 

 cies which was taken in Labrador, June 18, 1885.. Their color is bluish-white, 

 spotted with lilac, and very dark brown, being like those of the Cedar-bird, but are 

 larger; sizes, .99x.70, .98x.70, 1.05x.69, 1.06x.70. Mr. Norris has a set of three Bo- 

 hemian Wax-wing's eggs taken in Lapland, June 20, 1875. These are exactly like 

 large eggs of A., cedrorum, and measure .91x.69, .93x.68, .89x.68 inches. 



619. CEDAR WAX-WING. Ampelis cedrorum (VieillJ Geog. Dist North 

 America in general, from the Fur Countries southward. In winter south to Guate- 

 mala and West Indies. 



