76 
MIR UNDO SERRIPENNIS. 
polygamous, for it is quite common to see two or three males in pursuit of a single female, but 
I think the former hypothesis more probable, as both sexes incubate. The Bank Swallows 
bring out their young early in July, and by the latter part of that month they accompany their 
parents in their aerial flight in search of insects; later, in August, they all disappear, being the 
first of all the Swallows to depart for the south. 
HIRUNDO SERRIPENNIS. 
Rough-winged Swallow. 
Hirundo serripennis Aud., Orn. Biog., iv, 1838, 593. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form quite robust. Size, not large. Bill, medium, and slightly curved at tip of upper mandible. Feet 
not as large as in the preceding. Tail, slightly forked. The outer webs of the outer primaries provided with hooks, 
which curve forward. 
Color. Adult, above, uniform, smoky-brown. Chin, throat, under wing coverts, axillaries, sides and flanks, 
pale smoky-brown. Remaining under parts, including under tail coverts, white. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
This species is larger than H. riparia ; it also differs from it in having no feathers on the heel, but is provided 
with sharp hooks on the outer webs of the outer primaries. These appendages are more prominent near the middle 
of the feather, being scarcely perceptible at the base, then grow larger, reaching the maximum in the centre, 
gradually diminish toward the terminal portion, until the extreme tip is perfectly devoid of them. Bank Swallows 
occasionally have indications of this singular character, especially young birds. This is readily seen by comparing 
the outer primary web of some which I now have before me, with that portion of the wing of H. serripennis where 
the hooks are nearly obsolete. I have never seen a nestling of H. serripennis, but the hooks are said to be less 
prominent on their wings. Neither have I seen the tongue or sternum, but think they will not differ essentially from 
H. riparia. The specimen which I have described was kindly loaned me by Mr. Brewster. Distributed, during the 
breeding season, throughout the United States exclusive of New England. Winters in South America. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Measurements of Mr. Brewster’s two specimens, taken from the skin :—No. 1; length, 5 00; wing, 4-25; tail, 2T5; 
bill, ‘25; tarsus, -40. No. 2; length, 5-00; wing, 4-45; tail, 1-85; bill, -26; tarsus, -41. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests. The following description of the nests was kindly given by Mr. Ridgway. Flat, or ladle-shaped, with 
only a slight depression. Composed of coarse grasses and roots, the lining consisting of grass blades. 
Eggs, four in number, rather long and pointed in form, pure white in color. Dimensions of two specimens in 
Mr. Brewster’s cabinet, •70x , 55 and - 65x-50. 
HABITS. 
The quaint and ancient city of St. Augustine is situated on an arm of the ocean; 
consequently it is necessary to protect the lower section by a sea-wall, which extends the entire 
length of the town. This wall, beins: broad upon the top, is used as a promenade by the 
inhabitants. While sauntering along this walk one day in April, I observed some Swallows 
alighting in front of me. I saw at once that they were a species which I had never seen before, 
but a closer view proved them to be Rough-winged Swallows. At first there were only four or 
five to be seen, but in a few days there were quite a number flying about the place. This is the 
only time I ever met with this species living, and I have never found it breeding in the state ; 
but having met Mr. Allen, in Jacksonville, a few weeks later the same season, he informed 
me that he found a small colony evidently about to breed on some bluffs along the St. John’s 
river not far from the mouth. This species is said to breed in holes in buildings, under 
bridges, etc. Mr. Ridgway, writing to me of them, says, "In southern Illinois they nest in 
communities in company with H. riparia, occupying adjoining holes and having entirely the 
same habits, but are much more numerous there than the compion Bank Swallow.” 
