258 THE BIRDS 
dry weather, to procure mud for the foundation of their 
nests. They migrate in large flocks with the preceding 
species about August Ist to 8th, and are similar to the 
Eave Swallow in habits and food. They can, however, 
be easily distinguished from that species when in flight 
and at rest, by their forked tail; the Cliff Swallows hav- 
ing the tail feathers even. 
GENUS IRIDOPROCNE. 
[614]. Tridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot). Tree Swallow. 
| White-bellied Swallow]. 
Raner.—North America. Breeds in Canadian, Tran- 
sition and Upper Austral zones (and Lower Austral zone 
in Virginia) from northwestern Alaska, southern and 
western Mackenzie, southern Keewatin, and northern 
Ungava to southern California, Colorado, Kansas, 
Missouri, and Virginia; winters from central California, 
southern Texas, southern parts of the Gulf States, and 
southeastern North Carolina (casually New Jersey) south 
over the greater part of Mexico to Guatemala and Cuba; 
occasionally in Bermuda in migration; accidental in the 
British Isles. 
The favorite homes and haunts of this beautiful 
swallow are among the dead pine trees and stumps along 
our seacoast, and islands adjacent. Many a time when on 
my way up some lofty dead pine en route to the Osprey’s 
nest at the tiptop, have I stopped for breath and a 
chance to peek into some deserted woodpecker’s hole, 
occupied by a pair of these birds. At that period around 
