CYPSELIDyE — THE SWIFTS. 



425 



Fanyptiln melnnnJeum. 



line of junction seen in all tiie otliers, including tliu male from Guatcnuila 

 (oO,8;}G, JJuenas, Nov.). 



Hahits. Tiii.s new species was tirst discovered by Dr. Keunerly on Bill 

 Williams Fork, New Mexico, February 1(3, ISo-i. >He speaks of it as a 

 very curious and interesting bird, found by him only among the can(jns of 

 that stream, and not observed 

 elsewhere during their journey. 

 Large Hocks ct)idd be seen at any 

 time in the vicinity of those 

 canons, Hying and circling around 

 very high, and far beyond the 

 reach of shot. Towards the close 

 of the day, when the sun had sunk 

 behind the hills, they occasionally 

 descended lower. He only met 

 with them where the walls of the 

 canons were very high, and con- 

 sisted of almost perpendicular 

 masses of rock. At times they 

 were seen to sweep low down, and then to ascend nearly perpendicularly 

 very near the stones, as if examining them in order to select a place for 

 their nests. The construction of these had obviously not then connnenced. 

 Dr. Keunerly saw none engaged in the work, nor did he observe any old 

 nests, unless they build after the manner of the connnon Cliff Swallow, 

 which were also abundant in that region. Mr. MoUhausen was of the 

 opinion that these birds build in the holes and crevices of the clifl's. In 

 their flight and habits they a))peared to closely resend)le the common 

 Chcutura jyelriffirn. 



Dr. Heermann met with this species several times, first in San Fernando 

 Pass, near Los Angelos, and again near Palm Spring, lietween the Colorado 

 de.sert and Vallicita, at anotlier time near Tucson, and once also in Texas. 

 He always found thorn flying at a great lieight, either far beyond or on the 

 extreme limit of gunshot range. From the extent of their wings they 

 seemed formed to live in the air, where they pass most of their time gliding 

 about in extensive circles, with ap])arently very little motion of the wings. 

 During ])leasant weather they found their insect prey in the upper air, but, 

 when cloudy or rainy, they flew nearer the ground in their pursuit. When 

 on the gi'ound, they were oljserved to rise with ditticulty, owing to the 

 shortness of their legs and the length of their wings. When they rest, 

 they always alight on some eleviited jioint whence they can throw them- 

 srlves into the an', and take to wing. Nvnnbers were observed flying 

 about the rocks near Tucson, but none were heard to utter a note. They 

 were sociable among themselves, gathering in large flocks, but never 

 mingled with the Swallows. H(! states that they construct their nests in 



VOL. 11. 54 



