6i8 h'li'Li) Museum ok Natural Hisroin- — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



Family H I RUNDINI D^L. Swallows. 



Some 85 or 90 species of Swallows are kn-)wn fr-)in different parts 

 of the world. They are insectivorous birls and therefore migratory. 

 Being strong flyers, they are able to travel great distances with 

 surprising swiftness. They usually assemble in large flocks just 

 prior and during the migrations. The nesting habits vary with 

 dift'erent species; some nest in holes in trees, others in banks, while 

 still others build their nests on rafters in barns and outbuildings. 



Genu> PROGNE Bole. 



282. Progne subis (Li.\.\.). 

 Purple Martix. 



Distr.: Breeds throughout whole of United States (except Cali- 

 fornia) and northern Mexico, north to southern Quebec and south- 

 ern Athabaska region ; south in winter to Central America and north- 

 ern South America. 



Adult male: Brilliant dark steel-blue; wings and tail, dark fus- 

 cous, tinged with bluish; bill, black. 



Adult female: Upper plumage, dark steel-blue; forehead, gray- 

 ish; throat, breast, and sides, brownish gray, the feathers edged with 

 whitish; middle of bellv, white. 



