Part 24

Song.—Resembling that of the Robin, but harsher, less varied and higher pitched. Call, a sharp chip or “chip-churr.”

Nest.—Loosely made of twigs and rootlets, on lower branches of trees; eggs four, pale bluish green, spotted with brown (.95 × .65).

Range.—Breeds in the northern parts of the U. S. from the Atlantic to the Plains; winters in the tropics, whence it arrives about May 15.

SUMMER TANAGER 610. Piranga rubra. 7½ inches

Male, rosy red; female, greenish yellow.

These Tanagers have a more southerly distribution than the Scarlet variety, but are found in the same kind of territory. In its localities it is rather more abundant and less retiring than is the latter bird in the north, and more often dwells in public parks. This bird is often called the Redbird and in localities where both the Scarlet Tanager and this species are found, they are frequently known by the same name, as their habits and notes are similar.

Song.—Similar to that of the Scarlet Tanager but said to be sweeter and clearer, and to more nearly resemble that of the Robin.

Nest.—On the outer horizontal limbs of trees in open woods or groves; nest of twigs and rootlets; eggs bluish green, spotted with brown (.95 × .65).

Range.—U. S. east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to New Jersey and Kansas; winters in Central America. A subspecies is found west of the Rockies.

PURPLE MARTIN 611. Progne subis. 7¾ inches

Male, blue black; female, dull black and grayish.

These large, jolly Swallows are commonly seen about cities and towns within their range. Originally they dwelt in hollow trees, and some do yet, but the majority have recognized the superiority of man’s dwelling and now live in houses built especially for them or in cornices of houses or barns. It is no uncommon sight to see a handsome gabled structure of many rooms, perched upon a twelve-foot pole, on the lawns of many wealthy residents; others less bountifully supplied with this world’s goods use plain soap boxes for the same purpose, and the Martins seem to like the one as well as the other.

Song.—A strong, varied grating warble or twitter, more forcible than melodious.

Nest.—Of straw, paper, rags, etc., in bird houses, gables or hollow trees; eggs dull white (.98 × .72).

Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to New Brunswick and Saskatchewan; winters in northern South America.

CLIFF SWALLOW 612. Petrochelidon lunifrons. 5½ inches

Adults similar in plumage but the female slightly paler. Easily distinguished from the Barn Swallow by the square tail and light buffy forehead and rump.

This is what is commonly called the Eave Swallow in the East, because of its habit of plastering its nests on the outside of barns or other buildings, up under the eaves. In the West they usually resort to cliffs where, sometimes, large sections of the face will be completely covered with the little mud flasks; often colonies of several thousand will build their nests together.

Song.—A continuous twitter, uttered while on the wing or at rest.

Nest.—A flask or gourd-shaped structure of mud, lined with straw and feathers, attached under the eaves to the outside of buildings or on the faces of cliffs; five to seven eggs are laid; white dotted and spotted with reddish brown (.80 × .55).

Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to Greenland and Alaska; winters in the Tropics.

BARN SWALLOW 613. Hirundo erythrogastra. 7½ inches

Female duller plumaged and with a less deeply forked tail than the male. Forehead and throat chestnut and entire under parts buffy; tail deeply forked and with a white spot on the inner web of each feather except the central pair.

This is the most graceful and beautiful of all our swallows, and is the most common about farmhouses, the inside beams and rafters of which they appropriate for their own use. They delight in skimming over the rolling meadows or the surface of ponds, now rising with the wind, now swooping downward with the speed of an arrow.

Song.—A continuous, rapid twitter.

Nest.—A bowl-shaped structure made up of pellets of mud cemented together with the birds’ saliva, and lined with feathers; attached to rafters in barns, the opening being at the top and not at the side as in the last; eggs exactly like those of the last.

Range.—N. A., breeding north to the limit of trees; winters in northern South America.

TREE SWALLOW 614. Iridoprocne bicolor. 6 inches