34 
HIRUNDIN^. HIRUNDO. 
Male 4:\, 12 . 
Extends as far eastward as Nova Scotia. Abundant. Migratory. 
Chimney Swallow, Hirundo pelasgia, Wins. Amer. Ornith. v. v. p. 48. 
Cypselus pelasgius, Bo nap. Syn. p. 63. 
Chimney Swift or Swallow, Cypselus pelasgius, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 609. 
Chimney Swallow or American Swift, Cypselus pelasgius, Aun. Ornith. Biog. v. ii. 
p. 329 ; V. V. p. 419. 
FAMILY VI. HIRUNDINtE. SWALLOWS. 
Bill very short, much depressed and very broad at the 
base, compressed toward the tip ; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line convex, the edges overlapping, with a small 
notch close to the slightly decurved tip. Head broad, de- 
pressed ; neck very short, body moderate. Feet very short, 
tarsus very short, anteriorly scutellate ; toes of moderate 
size ; first large, all scutellate in their whole length ; claws 
rather strong, compressed, well curved, acute. Plumage 
soft, blended, glossy. No bristles at the base of the bill. 
Wings extremely long, narrow, pointed, somewhat falci- 
form; secondaries very short. Tail generally emarginate, 
of twelve feathers. Mouth extremely wide ; oesophagus 
rather wide, without crop ; stomach elliptical or roundish, 
muscular, with a dense rugous epithelium ; coeca very small. 
Four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest in holes in 
banks, buildings, or trees, or attached to the surface of 
these objects. Eggs from four to six, white, plain, or 
spotted. 
GENUS I. HIRUNDO, Linn. SWALLOW. 
Characters as above ; tail emarginate or forked. 
45. 1. Hirundo purpurea, Linn. Purple Martin. 
Plate XXIII. Male and Female. 
Bill rather stout ; wings as long as the tail, which is deeply emar- 
ginate. Plumage silky, shining, purplish-black, with steel blue re- 
flections ; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black ; tarsi and toes pur- 
plish-black. Female with the upper parts paler, and tinged with 
grey, the lower light grey, longitudinally streaked with black. 
Mahy 7^, 16 . Female, 7t%j 
