184 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



distiiigaished by its size, and by the rump being uniform in color with 

 the other upper parts, and not cinereous as in the former. In other 

 characters dependent on form the two species are very similar, and 

 with the exception just stated, are similar also in color. The present 

 bird is the larger of the two species. 

 Mr. Peale observes of the present bird : 



" This species was obtained at the Island of Tahiti, where it is not 

 uncommon. Its flight and appearance towards evening, at which time 

 it appears to be most active, is like that of the chimney-swallow of 

 North America (Chajtura pelasgia, Stev.), but the large and fidl tail of 

 our bird, and its small bill and feet, destroy further analogy. It is 

 probable that it breeds in caves, like the last-described species (the 

 succeeding) to which it bears a family likeness, but we were not so 

 fortunate as to discover its nest." 



Our figure above cited is of the natural size. 



2. COLLOCALIA SPODIOPYGIA (Peale). 



Man-optcryx s'podtopygtm, Peale, Zool. Exp. Exp. Birds, p. 176 (1st ed. 1848). 

 Ilirundo francica, Gm. Syst. Nat. II, p. 1017 (1788) ? 



Plate XII, fig. 3. Adult. 



Tola faliginosa, supra saturatior, uropygio taenia transversa lata cinera- 

 scenti-alba. Long. tot. AlI poUices. 



Form. — Bill very short, weak; wings long; second quill longest; tail 

 rather long, wide; tarsi and toes slender; claws curved, rather 

 strong. 



Dimensions. — Total length (of skin), about four and one-fourth 

 inches ; wing, four and a half inches ; tail, two and one-fourth inches. 



Colors. — Rump with a wide transverse band of light cinereous. 

 Entire other upper parts dark fuliginous ; lightest on the back, and 

 nearly black on the head, wings, and tail. Under parts pale brownish, 

 fuliginous ; lightest on the throat ; darker and nearly black on the ends 

 of the under tail-coverts. " Bill black ; tarsi dusky flesh-color ; extent 

 of wings, ten and seven-eighths inches" (Peale). 



