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ROUGH- WINGED SWALLOW. 



617. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. S l / 2 inches. 



This species is slightly larger than the last and has 

 the throat and breast brownish gray, shading in- 

 sensibly into the white of the underpart; the outer 

 vane of the outer primary is stiff and barbed, thus giv- 

 ing the bird its name. 



Like the Bank Swallows, these breed in banks, and 

 are often found in company with them, both while 

 nesting, and when feeding. They are a more southern 

 bird, rarely found in the northern parts of the U. S. 



Notes. Like those of all the other Swallows, from 

 which they can only be distinguished from long ex- 

 perience. 



Nest. Either in banks like the Bank Swallows or 

 in the crevices of stone bridges or arches over water; 

 of straws and grasses lined with feathers; the four to 

 six eggs that they lay are pure white (.75x.52). 



Range. U. S., breeding from the Gulf north to 

 Massachusetts and Washington; winters in Central 

 America. 



