BARN SWALLOW— BANK SWALLOW 179 



cleft mouths, like those of the Goatsuckers, being well 

 adapted to the purpose. The bill is very short, and 

 slightly curved at the tip. Swallows have a very 

 beautiful flight, unlike that of any other bird. They 

 are gregarious, and just before migrating in the fall, 

 assemble in enormous numbers. Swallows lend much 

 charm to the life of the country during the summer 

 months, and they are certainly most useful birds from 

 an economic standpoint. Like its relative, the House- 

 Martin, the Swallow builds a nest of mud, on rafters 

 in barns and outhouses, and sometimes in trees. Two 

 broods are usually reared before the summer is over. 

 The species figured is the Common Barn Swallow 

 of Europe. See Plate 18, Fig. 108. 



The House-Martin may easily be distinguished 

 from the Swallow, having a large patch of white on 

 the lower part of the back, and the under parts all 

 white. Besides this, the Martin has legs and toes 

 completely covered with short, downy feathers. This 

 bird usually builds its nest under the eaves of houses, 

 and lays white eggs, while those of the true Swallow 

 are spotted. The House-Martin is not represented in 

 this country. See Plate 19, Fig. 109. 



The Bank Swallow is a small form corresponding 

 to the Sand Martin of Europe, a dull greyish-brown 

 above and white below. Unlike the Swallow and 

 the Martin, it nests in holes in sandbanks, labori- 

 ously tunnelling long chambers in which the eggs are 

 deposited, from two to three feet from the entrance. 

 And this work is accomplished by means of the 

 feeblest of beaks and feet. See Plate 19, Fig. 110. 



This species is very similar to the Rough-wing 



