ORDER PASSERES. 103 



swallows. They rise to a very great height in the air, and 

 are of a distrustful disposition, which always makes them 

 keep out of range of shot. Their flight is uncertain and 

 rapid, and they execute every motion which pleases them 

 with the most perfect facility. Sometimes they may be 

 observed clapping their wings with precipitation, sometimes 

 extending them at full length, like broad vans winnowing the 

 air. They pursue every direction which suits them, either 

 horizontally, perpendicularly, or obliquely. They pass with 

 much dexterity among the dry branches, and they are so 

 essentially organized and destined for flight, that they never 

 stop, or repose for a moment in the day. 



The South American species nestle in the hollows of trees, 

 or unite together in families. Those of North America 

 usually establish their domicile in chimneys, where they 

 construct a nest very ingeniously formed. In their plumage, 

 manners, and style of life, they all present so much analogy 

 that tliey would seem to compose only distinct races of one 

 and the same species. 



Among the most remarkable of these swallows is that 

 called Bibombi (Hirundo occyura Vieil.), which we shall take 

 leave to call the Sharp-tailed Swallow, to distinguish it from 

 the aculeated Swallow of Latham. M. D'Azara has de- 

 scribed this swallow under the name of Petit Martinet, 

 because he thinks that it resembles the marten of Europe. 

 Like the latter, it cannot remain on the ground ; but its 

 crooked claws, very strong and sharp, give it a facility of 

 climbing. Some, says M. CAzara, name it Mbiyuimhopi, 

 which means bat-swallow, because it has some resemblance to 

 the bat in colour, and in its mode of flying, which is more 

 rapid and uncertain than that of any other species. It is 

 called by abbreviation Bibompi or Bibombi. 



This species is very common in the woods of Paraguay. 

 It always flics above the highest trees, and if in the open 

 plain it sometimes approaches within forty or fifty feet of the 



