180 THE REPUBLICAN OR CLIFF SWALLOW. 



among the branches of Myrica cerifera, the drier, as it is termed by the 

 French settlers. 



About sunset they began to flock together, calling to each other for that 

 purpose, and in a short time presented the appearance of clouds moving to- 

 wards the lakes, or the mouth of the Mississippi, as the weather and wind 

 suited. Their aerial evolutions before they alight, are truly beautiful. They 

 appear at first as if reconnoitering the place; when, suddenly throwing them- 

 selves into a vortex of apparent confusion, they descend spirally with asto- 

 nishing quickness, and very much resemble a trombe or water-spout. When 

 within a few feet of the driers, they disperse in all directions, and settle in 

 a few moments. Their twittering, and the motions of their wings, are, how- 

 ever, heard during the whole night. As soon as the day begins to dawn, 

 they rise, flying low over the lakes, almost touching the water for some time, 

 and then rising, gradually move off in search of food, separating in different 

 directions. The hunters who resort to these places destroy great numbers 

 of them, by knocking them down with light paddles, used in propelling their 

 canoes. 



Fulvous or Cliff Swallow, Hirundo fulva, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 63. 

 Hirundo fulva, Bonap. Syn. p. 64. 



Fulvous or Cliff Swallow, Hirundo fulva, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 603. 

 Republican or Cliff Swallow, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 353; vol. v. p. 415. 



Bill shorter than in the last species; wings of the same length as the tail, 

 which is slightly emarginate. Upper part of head, back, and smaller wing- 

 coverts black, with bluish-green reflections; forehead white, generally tinged 

 with red; loral space and a band on the lower part of the forehead black; 

 chin, throat, and sides of the neck deep brownish-red; a patch of black on 

 the fore-neck; rump light yellowish-red; lower parts greyish-white, ante- 

 riorly tinged with red. Female, similar to the male. Young, dark greyish- 

 brown above, reddish-white beneath. 



Male, 5h, 12. Female, 5 T \, 12f. 



