BARN SWALLOW. 
1*25 
Ifirds by tlieir sweeping rapidity of flight, their peculiar aerial 
evolutions of wing over our fields and rivers, and through our 
very streets, from morning to night, that the light of heaven 
to their notice of the bird ; and, in the uncertainty, we have chosen to retain 
Wilson’s original name, until the species is really determined from authentic 
specimens. 
“ It appears to us very doubtful whether the Hirondelle a ventre roux de 
Cayenne of Buffon, {Ed. Sonn. xix. p. 35,) of which methodists have made 
their Hirundo rufa , is really the same as the II. Americana of Wilson. From 
the evidence we at present have, we are disposed to consider them distinct. 
The only authentic account of the Cayenne species is that given by Buffon, 
which all the compilers have since copied. From this, it appears to be only 
jive inches and a half long, (French measure?) ours is fully seven. The front 
is whitish, ( le front blanchdtre ,-) ours is very deep rufous. But the most 
remarkable difference between the birds is in the construction of their nests, — 
the Cayenne bird building one without mud, and so long as sometimes to 
measure a foot and a half, with an opening near the bottom ; the Americana of 
Wilson, on the contrary, using a good deal of mud ; the length is only seven 
inches, and the opening at top, with an external rim, for the parents occasionally 
to sit upon. Until this matter is investigated, we cannot suppose that indi- 
viduals of the same species would, in different countries, build their nests in 
such very dissimilar ways.” 
It appears to be exclusively American, and migrates from north to south, and 
the reverse. There is a great resemblance between the two species ; but they 
may be at once distinguished by the pure white, and the rich chestnut which 
clothes the under parts of each, and they would seem to be another of those 
representing forms which are so frequent, and run so closely in colour and 
habits through both continents. 
Wilson, when mentioning the distinctions of this species, includes a 
difference in habit, from our species building in chimneys, and not in barns, 
like the American. Chimneys are by no means the common building place of 
the British Swallow, although those in the neighbourhood of towns may use 
that resort for want of another, in the same way that those in a mining country 
use the neglected shafts. In the country, barns, shades of thrashing mills, or 
any outhouse with an open door or window, under the portico of a front door, 
are their constant building place ; and although houses in the country have 
chimneys as well as those in town, they are very seldom, if ever, resorted to. 
Their nests are also of the same structure and materials, built with clay 
mingled with straw, and lined with feathers, placed against a rafter, beam, or 
wall, and open at top. * The eggs also very similar. 
Bewick mentions a curious instance of variation, which may be also taken 
* According- to Professpr Rennie, it is called, in Sweden, Ladu Swala, Barn Swallow ; 
while, in the south of Europe, where chimneys are rare, it builds in gateways, porches, and 
galleries. 
