OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 259 



A common summer resident, breeding abundantly in suitable 

 places all over the country. They arrive about the end of April and 

 leave in September, both dates being dependent, to some extent, . 

 on the weather. 



Near Hamilton this species is very abundant, a favorite 

 nesting place being in the gravel bank which is cut through to 

 form the canal to Dundas. There are also many sand banks 

 around the bay shore, perforated to an extent which shows that 

 flocks of young ones are raised there every summer. 



Dr. Wheaton, in the " Birds of Ohio," mentions that this 

 species, from being a common summer resident in the immediate 

 vicinity of Columbus, has become only a passing migrant in spring 

 and fall. This he attributes partly to the frequent disturbance of the 

 nesting places by freshets, and partly to the advent of the Rough- 

 winged Swallow, which is comparatively a new species at 

 Columbus, but is rapidly increasing in numbers. The 

 Bank Swallows are sprightly little birds, greatly attached to their 

 homes, and we hope that nothing will happen here to cause 

 them to change their residence. 



Genus STELGIDOPTERYX Baird. 



238. STELGIDOPTERYX SERRIPENNIS (Aud.). 617. 



Rough-winded S\7a,llow. 



Lustreless brownish-gray, paler below, whitening on the belly. Rather 

 larger than the last. Hooklets on outer web of outer primary wanting, or 

 much weaker in the female. 



Hab. United States at large (in the Eastern States north to Connecti- 

 cut), south to Guatemala. 



Nest, in holes dug by the birds in the sandy banks of creeks and rivers, 

 a few straws and feathers at the end of the excavation representing the nest. 



Eggs, 5 to 6 ; pure white. 



This species seems to be gradually advancing from west to 

 east, for we hear every now and then of its being observed at 

 points in the Eastern States where it has not before been 

 noticed. I have no record of it from any part of Ontario except 

 from London, where Mr. Saunders has found it breeding for the 



