The Rough-winged Swallow. 
BY W . E. SAUNDERS. 
For a bird of its comparative abundance there 
is probably none so little known and studied as 
the Rough-winged Swallow. In this portion of 
Ontario it is quite common and is generally 
found near water; frequently in company with 
the Bank Swallow. In appearance, (light and 
general habits it resembles that species very 
much and the two are often confounded. It 
may, however, be easily recognized when in 
: the hand by the roughness of the edge of the 
first primary, or by the breast which is ashy 
from the chin to the belly, contrasting with the 
white under parts of the othex, across which is 
the well-known dark belt. It may generally 
be recognized on the wing by the same means 
j and assistance may be recieved from the bright- 
er, more metalie brown of the back, the slightly 
wider wings and slightly larger size, though 
J until one is tolerably familiar with it the only 
reliable means of identification while on the 
wing is the breast coloration. Probably half 
of the ornithologists in Ontario and the eastern 
and middle states who are unacquainted with 
this bird have seen it dozens of times, but have 
supposed it to be the Bank Swallow. 
As above stated the habits of the two are 
very similar, and they often breed near to- 
gether, though not more than one or two pairs 
of Rough-wings will be found with the Banks. 
The holes of the Rough-wings are always much 
larger and deeper than those of the other much 
resembling a short Kingfisher’s hole. 
The nest is built of straws, generally finer 
than those in the Bank Swallow's nest; which 
is accounted for by the fact that the Rough- 
, ° 
wings never in my experience use feathers as a 
lining, while the Bank Swallows always do. 
There is about as much difference in the size | 
of the eggs as of the birds, those of the Rough- 
wings being slightly larger both in length and [ 
breadth. In the number of eggs in a set, how- 
ever, there is a marked difference. The average j 
number of eggs in a set of Bank Swallow is ; 
four, seldom three and often five, while five is 
a small set of Rough-wings and six or seven is 
the usual number, probably eight are sometimes 
taken. 
I have paid some attention to these birds to 
try and discern some difference in the voice but 
have so far been unable to do so though oppor- 
tunity has been ample. While the nesting hab- 
its as described above have been my invariable 
experience, I am well aware that in other parts 
of the country habits differ and cavities in 
rocks and holes in abutments of bridges are the 
chosen nesting place, and it would be interest- 
ing to discover where this bird uses rock, and 
where sand and if possible why its tastes vary 
in different localities, and to this end I would 
be glad to receive information from all parts of 
the habitat of this species, stating the breeding 
places, whether in sand or rock and whether in 
the locality named both places are attainable; 
the average set taken, the material used in the 
nest, the approximate length and width of the 
hole and the reasons which may occur to any- 
one as to why its habits are as stated. A pos- 
tal card bearing even on one point only will 
often be valuable evidence and the result will 
be furnished to the O. and O. for publication 
as soon as practicable. 
a.ArO. ira. nv,b. 1888 d. 28 -1 ?. 
Notes on the Nesting of the Rough- 
Winged Sparrow. 
BY WALTER HOXIE. 
I have continued my observations upon the 
pair of Rough-winged Swallows mentioned in 
a previous note. 
After the first set of three eggs were taken, 
j they laid another set also of three, which I in- 
I tended they should hatch. But their nest was . 
discovered by a lad who lives near me, and 
knowing my liking for such things, he brought 
| them to me to-day, nest and all. 
I knew it was useless to return them, as he 
said he got them the day before and could not 
find me till to-day, so I have blown them, 
though it was hard work, the young birds being 
nearly ready to hatch. 
Mr. Alfred Cuthbert has taken a number of 
sets this year of five and six eggs, but “ my 
: pair ” seem to be less in enterprising, and only 
get as far as threes. 
0.&0. XIII.Jnlv. 1888 p.’Oa 
The Rough-Winged Swallow. 
The Rough-winged Swallow is imputed as 
rare in all places of its occurrence. However, 
I believe it is of more general occurrence in 
almost all parts than is thought, it being too 
frequently overlooked or confounded with its 
very near relative, the Bank Swallow. 
Mr. J. L. Davison does not mention this bird 
in his “List of Birds of Niagara County, 
N. Y.,” while here in the adjoining county 
(Orleans) it is a summer resident that may bo 
depended upon, and several sets of its eggs are 
taken each season. This bird is so like the 
Bank Swallow in every particular that the only 
safe means of identification is the bird in the 
hand. ‘ However, it may be identified when 
flying towards one by an observation of its 
throat and breast. The throat of the Bank 
Swallow is white, and it has a black pectoral 
hand, while the Rough-winged species has a 
black or brownish throat and no such band on 
the breast. The bird in the hand will reveal 
the peculiarities from which it takes it name. 
Although the sand bank, the homo of the 
Bank Swallow, is generally ascribed as the 
nesting place of the Rough-winged, in this 
locality at least, such is not the case as often 
as otherwise. Here, the favorite nesting place 
of Serripennis seems to he in the crevices of 
the stone work which forms the side of the 
Erie Canal or the abutments to its bridges, or 
in crevices of stone work in the vicinity of 
any water, and I think that if those who are 
seeking for this bird will look carefully about 
such places in their locality they will find it 
not uncommon there. 
The nest is loosely composed of straw 
(almost entirely), with sometimes the addition 
of some feathers. The eggs are pure white, 
and I find that they differ from those of the 
Bank Swallow in at least two particulars. 
First, they are not so much pointed and may 
be a trifle larger; and second, the number of 
them is generally greater, the complete set 
generally consisting of seven or eight eggs, 
which are deposited the last week in May. 
The Rough-winged Swallow does not arrive 
from the South until the first week in May, 
and departs unnoticed in the fall. 
Neil F. Poxson. 
Medina, N. Y. 
