1912] Swarth: Birds and Mammals from Vancouver Island 65 



breeds in the region is shown by the fact that the ovary of a 

 female bird collected June 4 contained partly developed eggs. 

 Two were seen at Errington, one on August 31, the other on 

 September 13. Three specimens were collected, an adult male 

 and female (nos. 16294, 16295) and an immature male in first 

 winter plumage (no. 16296). 



Progne subis hesperia Brewster 



Western Martin 

 At Nanaimo, on several occasions during June, western mar- 

 tins were seen in considerable numbers circling over the city, or. 

 sitting on telegraph poles or on the roofs of the buildings, where 

 they were probably breeding. Not observed at any other point. 



Hirundo erythrogastra palmeri Grinned 

 Western Barn Swallow 



Evidently a common summer visitant. Seen in numbers 

 about Parksville and Errington, and also at Alberni, almost in- 

 variably in the vicinity of human habitations. A barn near the 

 Little Qualicum River, and one at Errington, held many nests; 

 at Alberni the bridge across the river south of town sheltered 

 numerous pairs. No barn swallows were noted at Nootka, nor 

 in any of the wilder regions visited. 



The seven specimens collected (nos. 16297-16303), four males 

 and three females, all breeding adults, are precisely like birds 

 from southern Alaska, and together with these exhibit the in- 

 tensely deep rufous coloration below, and the broad, deeply 

 colored band on the forehead, characteristic of the western barn 

 swallow as compared with true H. e. erythrogastra of eastern 

 North America. The differences between these two forms are at 

 least as well marked as those in several others given general 

 recognition. 



Tachycineta thalassina lepida Mearns 



Northern Violet-green Swallow 

 A common species at most of the points visited during the 

 summer. Many were seen and specimens collected at Parksville 

 and Errington in April and May, and at Alberni and Beaver 



