90 Land Birds of New England 



FAMILY HIRUNDINID^E. 

 41. BANK SWALLOW (Clivicola riparia.) 



Upper parts dull brown, wings and tail somewhat darker ; under 

 parts grayish white, with a band of brown across the breast. 

 Beak and feet very small, black. Bird about two-thirds as large 

 as a sparrow. Sexes similar. 



THE bank swallow may be sought between the 

 first of May and the first of September in the vicin- 

 ity of sandy banks. He never wanders far from 

 hi^ home ; and as the ground in which he builds 

 must be such as will not cave in, this habit renders 

 him more local than he would otherwise be. 



This swallow is the only one of the family which 

 still retains its old nesting habits. It builds at the 

 end of a burrow which it digs out in a sandbank, 

 usually preferring the vicinity of water, but some- 

 times choosing a railway or road cutting. The bird 

 is the most sociable of all our swallows ; communi- 

 ties of three or four hundred sometimes live to- 

 gether. Eggs are laid in the latter part of May, 

 and there are two sets. 



The bank swallows are ordinarily more silent 

 than other swallows, having only a few low twitter- 

 ing notes. 



