22 Birds of Canada. 



II. riparia. The Bank Swallow. 



This is the smallest of the swallows. Color, 

 above, grayish-brown ; beneath, pure white. It 

 takes its name from its habit of making deep, 

 winding holes in sand banks, in which it builds 

 its nest ; eggs, four, pure white. Feeds upon 

 insects. 



H. bicolor. The White-breasted Swallow. 



This well-known swallow arrives here about 

 the middle of May. Color, above, metallic- 

 green ; beneath, white. Nests, in a hole in a 

 tree or stub, and sometimes in a martin's box ; 

 eggs, four, white. Feeds upon insects. 



Progne purpurea. The Purple Martin. 



This pretty and interesting bird arrives in 

 Canada early in April. Color : the old males 

 are glossy steel-blue all over ; the females are 

 glossy steel-blue above, and pale brown beneath. 

 Two broods are raised during the season. Nests, 

 in a hole in a tree, or martin's box ; eggs, four 

 or six, pure white. Early in September the 

 martins leave for the south. 



