348 BARN SWALLOW. 
BARN SWALLOW.—HIRUNDO AMERICANA.-— Fic. 162, Maca; 
: Fig. 163, Femave. ’ 
Peale’s Museum, No. 7609. 
HIRUNDO AMERICANA ? —Wixson.* 
. 
Hirundo rufa, Bonup. Synop. p. 64. — Hirundo Americana, North. Zool. ii. p. 329. 
THERE are but few persons in the United States unacquainted with 
this gay, innocent, and active little bird. Indeed the whole tribe are 
_ so distinguished from the rest of small birds by their sweeping rapidity 
* Wilson at once perceived the difference between the present species, and as it 
is commonly called the “ Chimney Swallow” of Europe, though many of his con- 
temporaries considered them only as varieties. The Prince of Musignano has, 
however, considered it as previously described by Latham under the title of A. 
rufa, and again figured as the same by Vieillot. 
The authors of the Northern Zoology have again appended the following note 
to their notice of the bird; and in the uncertainty, we ave chosen to retain Wil- 
son’s original name, until the species is really determined from authentic speci- 
mens. 
“It appears to us very doubtful whether the Hirondelle & ventre rour de Cayenne 
of Buffon, (2d. Sonn. xix. p. 35,) of which methodists have made their Hirundo 
rufa, is really the same as the H. Americana of Wilson. From the evidence we 
at present have, we are disposed to consider them distinct. The only authentic 
account of the Cayenne species is that given by Buffon, which all the compilers 
have since copied. From this, it appears to be only fire inches and a half long, 
(French measure ?) ours is fully seven. The front is whitish, (le front blanchdtre,) 
ours is very deep rufous. But the most remarkable difference between the birds is 
in the construction of their nests, —the Cayenne bird building one without mud, 
and so long as sometimes to measure a foot and a half, with an opening near 
the bottom ; the Americana of Wilson, on the contrary, using a good deal of mud ; 
the length is only seven inches, and the opening at top, with an external rim, for 
the parents occasionally to sit upon. Until this matter is investigated, we cannot 
suppose that individuals of the same species would, in different countries, build 
their nests in such very dissimilar ways.” , 
Tt appears to be exelusively American, and migrates from north to south, and 
the reverse. There is a great resemblance between the two species ; but they may 
be at once distinguished by the pure white, and the rich chestnut which clothes the 
under parts of each, and they would seem to be another of those representing forms 
which are so frequent, and run so closely in color and habits through both conti 
nents. 
Wilson, when mentioning the distinctions of this species, includes a difference in 
habit, from our species building in chimneys, and not in barns, like the American. 
Chimneys are by no means the common building place of the British Swallow, 
although those in the neighborhood of towns may use that resort for want of another, 
in the same way ‘hat those in a mining country use the neglected shafts. In the 
country, barns, shades of thrashing-mills, or any outhouse with an open door or 
window, under the portico of a front door, are their constant building place; and 
although houses in the country have chimneys as well as those in town, they are 
very seldom, if ever, resorted to. Their nests are also of the same structure and 
materials, built with clay mingled with straw. and lined with feathers, placed against 
a rafter, beam, or wall, and open attop.t The eggs also very similar. 
Bewick mentions a curious instance of variation, which may be also taken as a 
t According to Professor Rennie, it is called, in Sweden, Ladu Sirala, Barn Swallow ; 
while, in the south »f Europe, where chimneys are rare, it builds in gateways, porches, and 
galleries. 
