10 



ZOOLOGY. 



PANYPTILA MELANOLEUOA, B a i r d .-White-bellied Swift. 



Cijpsdus melanoleucus, Baird, Proceed. Ac. Nat. Sc, Phil., Vol. VII, June, 1854, 118. 

 Pamjptila mcl/iiwleuca, Baird, Gen. Eep. IX, 1858, 141. 



Sp. CH.-Head, dusky brown. Body tail and wings, dusky black. Throat breast and a band J inch in breadth from breast 

 to vent, white. Ends of larger coverts tipped with white. A large white patch on the flanlis, a faint white line over the eye 

 and the outer edge of the firtt primary, white. Length 5i inches. 



I met this bird several times, first in San Fernando Pass, near Los Angelos ; again near Palm 

 Spring, between the Colorado desert and Vallecitta ; again near Tucson, and lastly in Texas • 

 always, however, flying at a great height, being either far beyond or on the extreme limit of gun 

 shot range, and was therefore unable to do more than slightly wound one of them. From the 

 extent of their wings, the birds of this family appear to be formed to live in the air, where, in 

 fact, they pass most of their time, gliding about in extensive circles without effort and apparently 

 little motion of the wings. This ease of flight stands them in good need in their migratory 

 movements, allowing them readily to pass into warmer climes. During pleasant weather they 

 find their insect prey in the upper air, but when cloudy or rainy we find them skimming the 

 ground in their pursuit. When on the ground, the shortness and weakness of their legs, added 

 to their length of wing, incapacitates them from again rising in the air ; hence I have several 

 times seen the European species, (C. murarius,) picked up in the streets of Geneva, Switzerland, 

 having fallen there during a quarrel with its fellows. When they wish to take rest during 

 the day, which is rare, they always alight on some elevated point whence they can throw 

 themselves into the air and take to wing. Though numbers were flying about the rocks near 

 Tucson, I heard them utter no note. Sociable among themselves, gathering in large flocks, 

 they never mingle with their nearly related brethren the swallows. They generally construct 

 their nests in the crevices of rocks or the holes in old buildings, many species having secretory 

 glands, exuding a glutinous substance with which to fasten them firmly. The eggs, from 4 to 

 6 in number, are pure white and of an elongated form. Previous to the settlement of this country 

 by Europeans, the chimney swallow {G. pelasgius) built its nest in the hollows of old trees, but 

 has almost universally changed this habit, as indicated by its name, derived from the locality 

 to which it now resorts for the purposes of incubation. 



CERYLE AMERICANA, B o i e .—Texas Kingfisher. 



Alccdo americana, Gmel. Syst. Nat., vol. I, part I, p. 451. 

 Ceryle americana, Baird, Gen. Eep. IX, 1858, 159. 



Si'. Ch — 3Iale. — Upper plumage dark glossy green, the head and wing coverts sprinkled with small white spots. A moustache 

 of dark green from angle of lower bill. Wings, dark green, almost black, crossed by three bands formed by white spots on the 

 primaries. Throat, vent, and band on hind neck, white. A broad band of dark rufous covers the breast. Flanks, sides, and 

 under tail coverts, spotted with green. Tail, dark glossy green, the inner webs white, banded with dusky black spots. Bill and 

 feet dusky. Length, 8 inches 



Female resembles the male, but in her the broad rufous breast band is replaced by one of glossy green, less perfect than in 

 the male. Length, 8 inches. 



I first saw this species near the Nueces in Texas, where it is said to be not rare, and it has 

 frequently been brought from the Rio Grande by naturalists. The birds of this family live 

 principally on fish. Remaining patiently for hours on a stake or branch over a stream, watching 

 a favorable opportunity to pounce upon its prey, which seen, it plunges into the water, often 

 disappearing entirely beneath its surface, seizes upon and swallows its victim whole ; throwing 



