SWALLOW. 315 



This is the description of Buffon ; but having received a fine 

 specimen from the bounty of Lord Seaforth, I find that, the upper 

 parts of the head, neck, more than half the back, and the lesser wing 

 coverts, are the colour of polished steel, with an alternate gloss of 

 blue and green ; greater wing coverts white, with blue green tips, 

 forming a white band down the middle of the wing ; lower part of 

 the back, and upper tail coverts white ; all beneath, and under wing 

 coverts, white ; quills and tail dusky, with a greenish gloss on the 

 outer webs ; tail a trifle forked; inner web of exterior feather white 

 for two-thirds of the length from the base ; wings reach rather 

 beyond the tail ; bill black ; legs dusky. 



A.— Hiroudelle a ventre tachete de Cayenne, Buf. vi. 682. PL enl. 546. 1. Gen. 

 Syn. iv. 577. A. 



In this bird the upper parts are dull brown, without gloss, or 

 any mixture of white ; the under parts white, marked with oblong 

 brown spots, most frequent on the neck and breast ; bill and legs 

 as in the other. 



Inhabits Guiana, frequenting the moist Savannas, skimming the 

 surface of the earth in search of prey, as other Swallows; and often 

 seen perched on the lower branches of trees, which are destitute of 

 leaves. From the size, colour of the legs, and general appearance, 

 it is most likely to prove a Variety of the former. 



50— PURPLE SWALLOW. 



MALE. 



Hirundo purpurea, 7nrf.Orn.ii. 578. Lin.], 344. Gin. Lin. i. 1020. Kalm.It.m. 



88. Bartr. Trav. p. 29. 

 Hirundo apos Caralinensis, Bris. ii. 515. Id. 8vo. i. 301. Germ. iv. t. 411. 1. 



— violacea, Gm. Lin. i. 1026. 



— caerulea, Vieill, Am. i. 57. pi. 26. 27. 

 he Martinet couleur de pourpre, Buf. vi. 576. 

 L'Hirwdelle Meue 4e 'k Caroline, Buf. vi. "674. PI. enl. 732. 



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