HIRUNDINID^ — THE SWALLOWS. 205 



No bird of North America is more deserving of protection and of 

 encoui-agement to live about the habitations of man than the Purple 

 Martin. One pair of them will destroy more insects in a season 

 than all the English Sparrows in a township wiU kill in their life- 

 time. Besides, their notes are pleasing to the ear, and their actions 

 both when on the wing and when perching upon their boxes ex- 

 tremely interesting. 



The ordinary notes themselves of this species are very agreeable 

 to say the least, and during the breeding season the male has a 

 continued and varied song of great beauty and considerable power ; 

 and it is as much on account of the sweetness of their notes as for 

 their famiharity and usefulness that these birds are such general 

 favorites. I have observed that in the wild woods, where these 

 handsome birds have not yet had opportunity to avail themselves 

 of man's hospitahty, they are as lovely and musical as when semi- 

 domesticated in our door-yards, and in all respects exactly the 

 same bu'ds. 



Genus PETROCHELIDON Cabanis. 



Peirochelidon Cab, M-US-Kein, 1850.47. TyviB, Hirundo melanogaster Swains., — P. 

 sicainsoni ScL. 



"Gen. Chab. Bill stout and deep, somewhat as in Progne. Nostrils entirely superior 

 open, without overhanging membrane on the inner (or upper) side, but somewhat over- 

 hung by short bristles, seen also along base of inner mandible and on chin. Legs stout; 

 the tarsi short, not exceeding the middle toe exclusive of its claw; feathered all around 

 for basal third or fourth, though no feathers are inserted on the posterior face. Tail fall- 

 ing short of the closed wings, nearly sauare or slightly emarginate; the lateral feathers 

 broad to near the ends, and not attenuated." (Hist. JV. Am. B.) 



This genus, like ChcUdon, is nearly cosmopolitan, at least two 

 species — P. arhorea (Gould) and P. arid (Gould) — belonging to 

 Australia, and two or more to tropical America. 



Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say). 



CLIFF SWALLOW. 



Popular synonyms. Eave. or Square-tailed Eave. Swallow; Crescent Swallow; White- 

 fronted Swallow; Republican Swallow. 



Birundo lunifrons Say. Long's Exp. ii. 1823, 47.— Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. ii, 1831, 331.— 

 Baikd. B. N. Am. 1858. 309; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 220. 

 PelrocJielidon lunifrons Lawe. 18G1.— Baibd, Review, 18C5. 288.— CouEs. Key, 1872. 114; 

 CheokList, 1873, No. 114; 2d ed. 1882. No. Ifi2; B. N. W. 1874. 88; B. Col. Val. 1878. 42fi. 

 (excel, ayn. pt.).— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. 1. 1874, 334, pi. 16. flg. 13.-Ridqw. Norn. 

 N. Am. B. 1881, No. 153. 



