BARN SWALLOW. 421 



There is considerable diversity in the colouring of the under parts of 

 this bird. Frequently there is a broad band of steel-blue across the neck 

 or fore part of the breast, in other cases this band is narrow, or interrupt- 

 ed in the middle, or wanting, as in the individuals represented in the 

 plate. The rufous colour of the breast, sides and belly varies from red- 

 dish-white in young birds to bright brownish-red in old ones. In the 

 former case it is similar to the colour of the European Chimney Swallow, 

 which, on the other hand, never has those parts so deeply tinted as in the 

 latter case. The bill and feet of the two are precisely similar as are the 

 colours of the upper parts ; but in the European bird, the dark band on the 

 fore part of the breast is much broader, the first and second primaries are 

 almost equal, although the first is longest, and the lateral tail-feathers are 

 more elongated. These differences do not seem to me to be sufficient to 

 distinguish the two birds as species, and the similarity of their habits ren- 

 ders them too nearly allied to be separated with propriety. 



The differences in colour between the European Chimney Swallow 

 and the American Barn Swallow, are analogous to those between the 

 Barn Owl of the former and that of the latter country. The Swallows 

 and the Owls may be distinct species ; but I see no reason for separation 

 in the one case more than in the other ; and if the so called Hirundo 

 Americana be distinguished from the H. rustica, the Strix Jlammea ought 

 to be distinguished from the American Owl, which might in that case be 

 named Strix Americana. But let the differences first be shewn. 



