DESCRIPTIVE LIST 263 



FIG. 211. BANK SWALLOW. 



Genus Stelgidopteryx (Baird) 

 260. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (And.}. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. 



Description: Ads. Upperparts brownish gray; throat and breast pale, brownish gray; belly 

 white; outer web of first primary with a series of recurved booklets (sometimes absent in female); 

 no tuft of feathers above the hindtoe. 1m. Similar, but without recurved booklets on the 

 first primary; throat and breast more or less washed and wing-coverts edged with rufous. L., 

 5.75; W., 4.35; T.. 2.10; B. from N., .19. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. United States, except extreme northern portion, wintering in Mexico and Central 

 Ame"ica. 



Range in North Carolina. A rather common summer resident throughout the State, arriving 

 in the eastern and central sections about the end of March or first part of April, and in the moun- 

 tain region near the middle of April. 



FIG. 212. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. 



The Rough-winged Swallow, commonly called Bank Swallow, is not an uncom- 

 mon summer visitor with us. It is an early arrival from the south (last of March), 

 and it departs shortly after the breeding season. The latest date at which it has 

 been observed at Raleigh is July 17. 



This species nests in holes in banks, which it sometimes excavates for this pur- 

 pose. If a burrow is used, it generally runs in for two or three feet, terminating 

 in a slight depression that is lined with grass or feathers. Railway cuts or the high 

 banks of streams furnish suitable situations. The eggs are four to six in number, 

 white, without markings, and are laid in May or June. Pearson found an occupied 



