( 411 ) 

 COMMON BARN SWALLOW. 



HlRUNBO RUSTIC A, LiNN. 

 PLATE CLXXIII. Vol,. II. p. 413. 



I AM as confident as ever, that our Barn Swallow and the Chimney 

 Swallow of Europe are the same species. It has been found on the 

 Rocky Mountains, and in the Valley of the Columbia River, as well 

 as in the Texas, and in many intermediate places. On the 24th of 

 April 1837, when we were between Rabit Island and Galveston Bay, 

 in the latter country, a bird of this species came on board, very much 

 fatigued, and after flying about some time, made an attempt to proceed 

 on its journey, but finding itself too weak, returned. It again set out, 

 but soon came back, and being too weak to gain a footing, fell into the 

 water, where it rested a short time, and took to wing, but striking against 

 the vessel, fell again on its back, with its wings extended. After re- 

 maining a few moments in this position, it gradually turned itself over 

 by means of its wings, and took to wing, but this time made a shorter 

 flight, and endeavoured to gain the vessel, which was passing slowly 

 along ; its strength, however, failed entirely, and it fell and floated 

 astern, when it was picked up by one of the crew of the Crusader, which 

 we had in tow, but died soon after. 



" In the Fur Countries," according to Dr Richardson, " where the 

 habitations of man are ' few and far between,' it inhabits caves, particu- 

 larly in the limestone rocks ; and it also frequents the outhouses at the 

 trading posts." My friend Thomas Durham Weir, Esq. of Boghead 

 in Scotland, has favoiu-ed me with the following account of the various 

 situations in which he has observed it breeding in that country : — 



" About five or six feet down the inside of a wide circular chimney 

 at Cowie Distillery, about five miles from Stirling, for some time past, 

 three or four pairs of Swallows have annually built their nests. Upon 

 the inside of the roof of the coolers at the same place, which is 250 feet 

 long by 50 in breadth, upwards of a hundred pairs of them have for 

 many years erected their habitations and reared their offspring. In 

 the cooler at Glenmavis Distillery, near Bathgate, last summer several 

 pairs had their nests. 



