SWALLOWS 
301 
Distribution. North America. In Canada, most of the southern parts across the 
Dominion. In the west, common in the wooded parts of southern Manitoba and southern 
British Columbia, but not so far detected in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. 
The Rough-wings belong to a genus widely scattered over the world, 
characterized by the peculiar modification of the wing, the use or purpose 
of which is not at present known. 
613. Barn Swallow', l’iiirondelle des granges. Hirundo erythrogaster. L, 6-95 
(tail fork 1-75 deep). Plate XLVI B. Adult: with deeply forked tail. All steely black 
above. Below, reddish chestnut, deepest on upper breast and throat. Bar across forehead 
the same as throat. A somewhat broken and imperfect black bar separating throat and 
foreneck patch from the lighter underparts. Females: the same. Juveniles: similar, 
but lighter, and often with tail ungrown, less deeply forked, or almost square. 
Distinctions. The deeply forked tail of the adult is a certain specific distinction. 
Likely to be confused only with the Cliff Swallow, but more reddish below, face black; 
dark, dull chestnut forehead-bar instead of cream one; rump black like the back. 
Field Marks. The long “swallow-tail” is always diagnostic of this species. When 
this is not present, as in juvenile birds, the rufous cast to the underparts, white in the 
tail feathers, and solid black rump are good recognition marks. 
Nesting. The nest is far from being the beautiful structure the Cliff Swallow builds. 
It is largely made of mud mixed with grasses, lined with grass and feathers, and set on a 
support such as a rafter or beam; but often the slightest projection will be utilized as a 
foundation upon which to build. Some farmers ensure the presence of the birds about 
the place and induce them to nest where they will be unobjectionable by furnishing small 
supports for their nests close under the eaves of their barns or inside where they will be 
sheltered but can do no damage. 
Distribution. North America. In Canada, north to near tree limits. 
This is the swallow commonly nesting in barns and outbuildings. 
It not only builds under the eaves, but enters the building and occupies 
the interior. Its long "swallow-tail” assists in making it perhaps the 
most graceful of all the Canadian swallows. 
612. Cliff Swallow, eve swallow, mud swallow, l’hirondelle a croupion 
jaune. Petrochelidon albifrons. L, 6 01. Plate XLVII A. Above, except rump, steely 
black; rump, light tan and a white or light cream-coloured bar across the forehead. Below, 
dull white; lower half of face and throat, rich chestnut, blending away in the breast and on 
flanks. A suffused iridescent black spot on foreneck and upper breast. Tail, slightly 
forked when closed, nearly square when open. Female and juveniles: similar to male, 
but_colours of the latter are duller. 
Distinctions. Much like the Barn Sw r allow (Plate XLVI B), but without long swallow- 
tails; pure or nearly pure white on abdomen; face, chestnut, and a nearly white forehead- 
bar. Rump, light tan instead of solid black like back. 
Field Marks. The Cliff Swallow is a chunkily built bird; in flight, broader in propor- 
tion than any other swallow except the Purple Martin. In general colour effect much like 
the Barn Swallow, but with square fail (Figure 400e), instead of a deeply forked one, and 
a prominent light tan rump-spot. The less ruddy underparts and forehead-bar nearly 
white instead of dull red are also good distinctions. Cliff Swallows may always easily be 
picked out from flocks of mixed swallows by the tan rump-spot. 
Nesting. A typical nest is built entirely of mud carried in little pellets in the bill and 
on the feet. The mud is mixed with saliva and plastered pellet by pellet on the wall under 
the eaves of some building or on cliff faces. The nest is first a shelf built out from the wall, 
then saucer-shaped and then cup-shaped, in any of which states it may be left as finished. 
In the best examples the sides are continued until the nest assumes the shape of a round 
flask with the neck drawn over and pointed outwards. 
Distribution. North America. In Canada, across the Dominion north to the limit of 
trees near the Arctic coast. 
SUBSPECIES. The only form to be found in Canada is the Northern Cliff Swallow 
(hHirondelle & crupion jaune du Nord) Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons. 
