BANK SWALLOW. 



616. Riparia riparia. 5J4 inches. 



Plumage above grayish brown; below white with a 

 broad grayish brown band across the breast. 



These birds are more locally distributed than the 

 preceding Swallows and not as often found near habi- 

 tations, but they usually live in colonies, so that where 

 they are found at all they will usually be abundant. 

 They usually live, or at least, do most of their feeding 

 in the vicinity of ponds or lakes, the surfaces of which 

 teem with insects that they like. 



Notes. Not unlike those of the other Swallows. 



Nest. Of grasses, placed at the end of tunnels in 

 banks; they usually nest in colonies and the face of 

 a high bank may be honeycombed with the entrances 

 to the homes; the tunnel* is usually from eighteen 

 inches to two feet long and terminated in an enlarged 

 chamber where their real nest is placed; the eggs are 

 white (.70 x .50) and number from four to seven. 



Range. Breeds from New Jersey and middle Cali- 

 fornia north to the Arctic regions; winters south of 

 the U. S. 



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