195 



the place and induce them to nest where they will be unobjectionable by furnishing small 

 supports for their nests close under the eaves of their barns or inside where they will be 

 sheltered but can do no damage. 



Distribution. America. Probably not quite as northern as the preceding species. 



This is the Swallow commonly nesting in barns and outbuildings. 

 It not only builds under the eaves but enters the building and occupies 

 the interior. Its long "swallow tail" assists in making it perhaps the 

 most graceful of all the Canadian Swallows. 



Genus Iridoprocne. Tree Swallow. 



614. Tree Swallow. WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. FR. L'HIRONDELLE BICOLOKE. 

 Iridoprocne Ucolor. L, 5-90. Plate XXXVI B. 



Distinctions. The even blackness with pronounced steely reflections of the upper- 

 parts and pure whiteness below are distinctive. 



Field Marks. The pure unmarked whiteness of the underparts makes an easily re- 

 cognized field mark. Young birds have the black above replaced with dull brown and 

 a suggestion of suffused brown on the sides of the breast, but this never forms a con- 

 tinuous band across the breast as in the Bank Swallow. 



Nesting. In Woodpecker's old holes in dead stubs, hollow trees, or bird boxes. Lined 

 with grasses and feathers. 



Distribution. America north to near the limit of trees. 



Though normally using Woodpecker's holes in dead stubs over the 

 water the Tree Swallow is easily induced to nest in boxes in the garden. 

 The beauty of its bright iridescence and the grace of its flight make ample 

 payment for the work of preparation, even if its presence were not an 

 important safeguard against insects in the garden. The continued existence 

 of the species is threatened through the growing scarcity of natural nesting 

 sites unless an effort is made to supply the nests artificially. 



Genus Riparia. Bank Swallow. 



616. Bank Swallow. SAND MARTIN. FR. L'HIRONDELLE DE RIVAGE. Riparia 

 riparia. L, 5-20. Plate XXXVII A. 



Distinctions. Dull brown instead of iridescent coloration of back, and white under- 

 parts with distinct dark breast-band. The band is always full and complete and the 

 white pure. The complete breast-band will separate the Bank from the young Tree 

 Swallow; and from the Rough-winged in which the white is not pure and the breast 

 and throat are evenly suffused with ashy brown. 



Field Marks. The white underparts crossed by a conspicuous dark bar make the 

 bes t field mark. 



Nesting. Nearly everyone has seen how quickly the exposed sides of a sand or gravel- 

 pit excavation become pitted with the small nesting holes of these Swallows. Too often 

 the heedless small boy digs them out. Not only is this dangerous to the boy from the 

 possibility of the bank caving, but it is striking a direct blow at the existence of one of 

 the best friends of the farmer. 



Genus Stelgidopteryx. Rough-winged Swallow. 



617. Rough-winged Swallow. FR. L'HIRONDELLE A AILES HERISSEES. Stelgido- 

 pteryx serripennis. L, 5 75. Much like the Bank Swallow in general coloration, but 

 with the breast and throat suffused with light ashy brown instead of being crossed with 

 a sharp brown band. 



Distinctions. The above difference, together with the absence of much pure white 

 below and any white on throat, is diagnostic. Grown birds have the small outer web of 

 the outer primaries converted into a series of fine recurved hooks almost too small to 



