THE BIRDS OF WAYNE COUNTY. 



319 



Two nests of this species present the following measurements : 



The wires of the telegraph lines afford of course favorite places of rendezvous for 

 this, as well as other species of Swallows, and it is no unusual occurrence to see a whole 

 brood of young marshalled upon the wires, while the parent birds busily engage them- 

 selves providing food for the voracious appetites of their offspring. The habit these 

 Swallows have, of at times fluttering along close to the surface of a small pond, instead 

 of skimming swiftly over, gives them more the appearance of huge butterflies than of 

 birds, and is an interesting performance. 



The Barn Swallow is more or less gregarious even during at least a portion of 

 the breeding season, but is most noticeably so in the months of July and August. At 

 this time companies of fifty individuals are commonly encountered, and on July 27, 

 1893, a flock of 300 was observed. 



In the spring of 1891 a perfect albino of this species was secured from among a 

 number of other Barn Swallows, by Mr. E. N. Freeman, of Orrville. By reason of the 

 inconsiderable development of the tail feathers the specimen was presumed to be a 

 female. It was nearly pure white, the only observable diagnostic character of the 

 plumage being the normal white tail markings, made discernible by the somewhat 

 more dusky appearance of the remaining portions of the rectrices. 



GENUS TACHYCINETA CABANIS. 



133. Tachycineta bicolor (VIEILL.). 

 Tree Swallow. 



A very rare summer resident ; somewhat more common during the spring migra- 

 tion, but not observed in the fall. It seems to be quite irregular and very few records 

 are available. Its earliest appearance was noted in 1893, when six were seen on April 

 9. On May 15, 1892, a flock of 103 and another of 85 were observed on the bottoms 

 near Wooster, but other than this never more than six have been ^seenTon any one 

 date. It has only twice been noticed in summer : on June 14, 1891, and on July 17, 1892 



GENUS STELGIDOPTERYX BAIRD. 



134. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (AUD.). 

 . Rough-winged Swallow. 



A common summer resident. The dates of its spring arrival range from April, 

 8 to April 21. It was observed latest in 1890, when it was seen on August 24. 



During the summer it is confined principally to the. bottom-lands, where usually, 

 'but not always, it breeds in the immediate vicinity of running water. Nesting begins 



6 B. W. C. 



