228 HIETJNDINIDiE. 



that species. Seeing that the differences between all three birds are definite and that 

 each has its own peculiarities as regards migration and its distinct abode, we think 

 that to place them together not justifiable. 



Though P. swaimoni has been met with by many travellers in Mexico, we have 

 nothing recorded of it beyond certain localities where it occurs. Prof. Sumichrast says 

 it is peculiar to the plateau of Mexico, and that it rarely occurs elsewhere ; still it has 

 been found in the State of Oaxaca, and, even by Sumichrast himself, subsequently near the 

 city of Tehuantepec, which is situated at but a slight elevation above the Pacific Ocean. 

 In Guatemala it only twice came under our observation — once when we found it flying 

 over the open land near Duenas, at an elevation of nearly 5000 feet above the sea, and 

 again near Godines, above the mountain-lake of Atitlan, as high as 7000 feet. On 

 both occasions the birds were flying low, hawking for insects after the manner of their 

 kindred. 



3. PetrocheMon fulva. 



Hirundo fulva, Vieill. Ois. Am. Sept. i. p. 62, t. 30 \ 



Petrochelidon fulva, Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 40'; Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 291'; Gundl. Orn. Cub. 



p. 82\ 

 Hirundo pceciloma, Gosse, B. Jam. p. 64 ^ 

 Petrochelidon pceciloma, Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 292°. 



Similis prsecedentibus, sed pectore, hypochondriis et orisso rufis distinguenda ; macula qnoque pectoralis nigra 

 abest. (Descr. exempl. ex Yucatan. Mus. nostr.) 



Eah. Mexico, Northern Yucatan {Gaumer); Panama {M'Leannan). — Ajnttilles, 

 Cuba ^ ^, St. Domingo i, Jamaica ^ ^ ^. 



This species, which can be distinguished from both the preceding Swallows by the 

 absence of the black pectoral spot and by its fulvous flanks and crissum, was first 

 described and figured by Vieillot from specimens obtained in the island of St. 

 Domingo. 



It has since been traced to Cuba and Jamaica ; for though the bird of the latter 

 island was separated by Gosse under the name oi Hirundo poeciloma^, and its distinct- 

 ness recognized by Prof. Baird ^, we fail to appreciate any really tangible grounds of 

 distinction. 



We now trace this Antillean bird to Yucatan, a specimen obtained there by Mr, Gaumer, 

 now in our collection, being absolutely like our Cuban examples. Mr. Gaumer says 

 that it is resident in Yucatan, frequenting the cave-like holes called " senotes." And, 

 further, a single specimen, in bad condition, sent us by M'Leannan from Panama, must 

 also be referred to P. fulva, and not to P. pyrrhonota, which has also been found there. 

 As M'Leannan once had in his possession a few Cuban birds which he obtained in ex- 

 change, it is just possible that his specimen of P. fulva may have come from Cuba, and not 

 from Panama ; but, on the other hand, one of the island birds may have strayed thus far. 



