CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



57 



latest out in evening of all our Swallows. About the first or se- 

 cond week in September, they move off to the south, being often 

 observed on their route accompanied by the Purple Martins. 



When we compare the manners of these birds while here with 

 the account given by capt. Henderson of those that winter in such 

 multitudes at Honduras, it is impossible not to be struck with the 

 resemblance; or to suppress our strong suspicions that they may 

 probably be the very same. 



This species is four inches and a half in length, and twelve 

 inches in extent! altogether of a deep sooty brown, except the chin 

 and line over the eye, which are of a dull white; the lores, as in 

 all the rest, are black ; bill extremely short, hard and black, nos- 

 trils placed in a slightly elevated membrane ; legs covered with a 

 loose purplish skin ; thighs naked and of the same tint ; feet ex- 

 tremely muscular; the three fore toes nearly of a length; claws 

 very sharp; the wing when closed extends an inch and a half be- 

 yond the tip of the tail, which is rounded, and consists of ten fea- 

 thers scarcely longer than their coverts ; their shafts extend beyond 

 the vanes, are sharp pointed, strong, and very elastic, and of a 

 deep black color ; the shafts of the wing quills are also remarkably 

 strong ; eye black, surrounded by a bare blackish skin or orbit. 



The female can scarcely be distinguished from the male by 

 her plumage. 



VOL. V. 



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