CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 549 



Family HIRUNDIXIDiE. 



Siirallows. 



PROGNB, Boie. 

 P. subis, L. {purpurea— Ahhott'a Catalogue.) Purple Martin. 



Lustrous blue black throughout; female duller; whitish and 

 streaky below ; bill stout, nearly hooked. Length, 7J inches ; 

 tail, 3J inches. 



" Migratory. Abundant. The martin builds in boxes erected 

 for his accommodation, but has been known to occupy a hollow 

 tree for breeding purposes. They probably destroy more insects 

 than any other one species. Arrive in May, and are generally 

 all gone by the 20th of August." 



PBTROCHELIDON, Cab. 

 P. lunifrons, Say. Cliff Swallow. Eaves Swallow. 



Lustrous steel blue; forehead, sides of head, throat, rump, 

 &c., various shades of chestnut ; belly whitish ; a blue spot on 

 breast. Length, 5J inches ; tail, 2^ inches. 



"Abundant, and in some places seem to have taken the place 

 of the barn swallow. Builds under the eaves of buildings, 

 generally under barns and stables. Goes south earlier." 



CHELIDON. PorBt. 

 O. erythrogaster, Bodd. Barn Swallow. 



Lustrous steel blue ; pale chestnut below ; forehead and throat 

 deep chestnut ; an imperfect steel-blue collar ; tail deeply forked. 

 Length, 7 inches ; tail, 4J inches. 



"Very abundant, though probably less so than ten years ago 

 [1858]. Arrive early in May, and remain till the 25th of 

 August, after which they have generally disappeared. Build in 

 barns, and raise generally two broods. Feed exclusively upon 

 insects. Strictly inoffensive." — [C. C. A.] 



TACHYOINBTA, Cab. 

 T. bioolor, Vieill. White-bellied Swallow. 



Lustrous green ; pure white below ; female duller. Length, 

 6 J inches ; tail, 2| inches. 



