Bank Swallow 71 



at the Rough-wing in the field, the dull tone of the breast 

 is the best key to identification. 



This bird's flight is rapid and graceful, but it is apt to keep 

 lower than its near relative, the Bank Swallow. The 

 Rough-wing builds its nest in holes in banks, in crevices in 

 rocks, or on beams under bridges. From four to eight pure 

 white eggs are laid. 



A very pathetic incident I witnessed recently in connection 

 with my study of these birds. One had been shot for the 

 State Museum, and, but slightly wounded, had fallen into 

 the water, on the surface of which it floundered about 

 pitifully. The mate, seeing its companion's plight, suddenly 

 ceased its winged search for insects and hovered frantically 

 over the injured bird with such an evident desire to rescue 

 it that all our party were sorely distressed at the sight. 

 Another shot sacrificed the sorrowing bird on the altar of 

 science. Though the museum tags give no account of this 

 brief, tragic episode, it served to show once more to the 

 observers that our feathered friends have feelings closely akin 

 to those of the humem race. 



Bank Swallow. — Riparia riparia. 5.20 



Fairly Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Band of brownish-gray across breast; rest of 

 under parts white; upper parts blackish-brown. 



This Swallow is present in considerable numbers, though 

 there appears to be no extensive breeding grounds here. The 



