190 



in May (9, 1872; 13, 1873; 9, 1874; 14, 1875; 12, 1876; 15, 1877; 3, 

 1878; 8, 1879), remaining till October (3, 1874; 8, 1876; 4, 1878). 

 This gorgeously plumaged species is numerous in summer. It com- 

 mences to incubate its eggs early in June ; took nests containing the 

 full complement of eggs June 4 and 6, 1877. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of forty- three specimens: 

 length, 7-25; stretch, 11-85; wing, 3-74; tail, 2-69; bill from nostril, 

 46; gape, -76; tarsus, -77; middle toe, -52; its claw, -25. 



Family, HIRUNDINID2E. 



53. Hirundo erythrogastra, Boddaert. AMERICAN BARN SWAL- 

 LOW. An abundant summer resident; breeds. Arrives in April (27, 

 1872; 29, 1873; 25, 1874; 30, 1875; 30, 1876; 23, 1877; 23, 1878; 22, 

 1879), remaining until some time in September (19, 1874; 12, 1876; 6, 

 1879). It begins to build the last of May, and its eggs are deposited 

 early in June. 



I recently had an opportunity of observing the actions of the Swal- 

 lows when congregated preparatory to taking their departure to the 

 South, and overtaken by a severe and protracted rain-storm. The 

 locality was a secluded pond, where no buildings afforded them pro- 

 tection, even at night. It was the third day of the storm, and nearly 

 evening, when I visited the spot. The Swallows were sitting in cir- 

 cular lines upon some pryamidal shaped rocks out in the water, where 

 they spent most of the time, their dripping rows making a very pitiful 

 spectacle. At times a small band would rise with great exertion and 

 attempt to fly to the shore, where they alighted upon the nearest 

 object in utter exhaustion ; some of them upon the stones at my very 

 feet. I splashed a large stone into the water close to one of the 

 rocks, when a number of frightened ones flew up, and were obliged to 

 struggle hard to reach the shore, owing to the severe wind that pi - e- 

 vailed. Their flight was very labored and irregular, and broken by 

 frequent unsuccessful attempts to execute those graceful evolutions 

 which they accomplish with such admirable dexterity and ease at 

 other times ; they flew so slowly that they might easily have been 

 overtaken and captured. Besides the present species, there were, 

 also, numbers of Bank Swallows (Cotyle riparia), which seemed even 

 more distressed than were the Barn Swallows. It was a sad sight, to 

 see the poor little brown and blue-backed fellows, panting upon the 

 ground after their desparate effort, so reduced by hunger, fatigue and 

 long-continued exposure to the storm. I wished, in vain, that I might 

 relieve their distress; but Nature more potent than man came to 

 their aid : the following day broke clear as a bell, and the sun rose 

 warm and bright ; and when I visited the pond at sunrise, the Swal- 

 lows were seen busily engaged in procuring food, and appearing as 

 happy as ever. 



