180 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



Swallow, which also usually, though not invariably, 

 nests in sandbanks. 



The Purple Martin is the largest member of this 

 tribe in North America. The male is a beautiful 

 glossy, bluish-purple colour over the entire body, dark- 

 ening on wings and tail, while the female is a duller 

 hue above and greyish- white below. This bird is quite 

 common throughout the Southern States, where it is 

 valued for its usefulness as well as for its beauty and 

 sweet song. 



Two other species of Swallow common in America 

 are the Cliff Swallow, distinguished by its reddish 

 upper tail-coverts and bluish-black back striped with 

 white, and the Tree Swallow, all blue above and white 

 below. The former builds nests of mud in cliifs or 

 under the eaves of houses and barns, while the latter 

 nests in trees or in boxes provided for its use. 



European Flycatchers 



The European Flyca:tchers are included among the 

 true Oscines, or singing birds, and rank next in order 

 to the Swallows. 



The two best known species are the Pied and the 

 Spotted Flycatchers, both of which are common on the 

 continent of Europe and in the British Islands. In 

 general characteristics they resemble their American 

 cousins, preying upon insects which they capture in 

 the same manner. See Plate 10, Fig. 47. 



The general colouring of the Spotted Flycatcher 

 is light brown, darkening on wings and tail, throat 

 and breast paler and streaked with brown. This bird 



