BIRDS. 



39 



fore, conclude that it ranges throughout both Americas, but it is not found in the 

 Old World. Wilson describes this bird as a great favourite with the inhabitants 

 of North America, both European and Indian, who erect boxes and other con- 

 trivances near their houses for it to build in. At Bahia Blanca, the females were 

 beginning to lay in September, (corresponding to our March) : they had excavated 

 deep holes in a cliff of compact earth, close by the side of the larger burrows 

 inhabited by the ground parrot of Patagonia, (Psittacara Patagonica.) I noticed 

 several times a small flock of these birds, pursuing each other, in a rapid and 

 direct course, flying low, and screaming in the manner so characteristic of the 

 English Swift, (Hirundo Apus, Linn.) 



2. Progne Modesta. Gould. 



Plate V. 



Hirundo concolor, Gould, in Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 



P. nitidd ccerulescenti- nigra. 



Long. tot. 6 unc ; alee, 5\ ; caudw, 2f ; tarsi, A. 



The upper and under surface has not so strongly a marked purple shade, as in 

 the P. purpurea. The primaries and feathers of the tail, however, have 

 a greenish gloss, perhaps slightly more metallic. 



Tail not so deeply forked as in P. purpurea, which is owing to the two external 

 feathers on each side not being so much prolonged and bent outward, as in 

 that species. Nostrils of less size than in the latter, although the beaks 

 differ but little. Claws and feet are much less strong, than might have 

 been anticipated, even proportionally to the less dimensions of this species 

 compared with the P. purpurea. 



Tarsi 



Middle toe from tip of claw to joint 



Inches. 

 Total length 



Wings 5\ 



Tail 2f 



Habitat, James Island, Galapagos Archipelago, (October). 



Male. 



This swallow was observed only on this one island of the group, and it 

 was there very far from common. It frequented a bold cliff" of lava overhanging 

 the sea. Had not Mr. Gould characterized it as a distinct species, I should 

 have considered it only as a small variety, produced by an uncongenial site, of 

 the Progne purpurea. I can perceive no difference whatever from that bird, 



