Part 65

Size smaller than that of the preceding; bill very wide at base, much longer than in the preceding, gradually compressed to the tip, curved; wings reaching about to the end of the tail, which is deeply emarginate; under tail coverts long; legs short. Male, adult? Plumage of the upper parts dusky black, with a dark green lustre; throat and breast ashy white, running into light smoky brown on the sides of the neck, breast, and flanks; abdomen and under tail-coverts pure white, many feathers having dark lines on their shafts; under wing-coverts and axillaries fuliginous brown. Female? Similar to the male, but less lustrous on the upper parts, and with the entire plumage more tinged with fuliginous; under tail-coverts pure white, many feathers with dark shafts; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length, about 6¾ inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 3 inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. Western North America. South America, California, Panama (Mr. Bell).

This species, long known as a bird of South America, was first ascertained to be entitled to a place in the ornithological fauna of the United States by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York, who noticed it in California, and previously at Panama. We have since seen specimens from various parts of California, and suspect that it is abundant in that and probably in other countries of Western America.

Though closely related to other South American species, the present bird may be distinguished very easily from the Purple Martin of the United States (P. purpurea), by the greater width and much greater length of the bill, and it is smaller in size. We are not confident that we have ever seen the perfectly plumaged adults of this bird, though the specimens above described were obtained by Mr. Bell in the spring, and have the general appearance of maturity, except that the lustre of the plumage is but faint. Little or nothing is known of its habits or history.

III. GENUS COTYLE. Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 350.

Bill small, weak, wide at base, compressed to the tip; wing long, pointed, first and second quills longest; secondaries short, truncate, and emarginate; tail moderate, wide, even or slightly emarginate; legs short, slender; toes rather long, slender; colors dull, usually fuliginous brown of various shades; size of American species smaller than those of either of the preceding genera.

This genus contains about twelve species, inhabiting various regions of both continents, and all, so far as known, more or less terrestrial in their habits. In addition to those about to be described, there are three other American species restricted to the southern division of this continent.

1. Cotyle riparia. (Linn.) The Bank Swallow. The Sand Martin. Hirundo riparia. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 344. (1766.) Hirundo cinerea. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 526.

Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. 4; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 385, Oct. ed. I. pl. 50; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 28, fig. 62.

Bill weak; wing long; first primary longest; tail emarginate; legs short; tarsus with a tuft of short downy feathers near the insertion of the hind toe; entire upper parts and wide band across the breast light fuliginous or grayish brown; quills and tail brownish black; throat, abdomen and under tail coverts white; under wing coverts light fuliginous; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length, 5 inches; wing, 4; tail, 2 inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. The whole of North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Mr. Bell); Indiana (Dr. Haymond); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Indian Territory, New Mexico (Dr. Woodhouse); Florida (Mr. William Bartram).

Frequently met with, and remarkable for constructing its nest in a hole in the ground, usually by the side of a quarry or stream of water. This is one of the few American birds that appear to be absolutely identical with European species. On close comparison, we can discover no characters in the present sufficient to raise a probability of specific distinction.

Specimens from California, that we have examined, present slight variations from those of the Eastern States. The bill appears to be smaller, and the tail not so deeply emarginated.

2. Cotyle serripennis. (Audubon.) The Rough-winged Swallow. Hirundo serripennis. Aud., Orn. IV. p. 593. (1838.)

Aud., B. of Am., Oct. ed. I. pl. 51.

Larger than the preceding; wing long; first primary longest; tail emarginate; legs short; outer edge of the first primary furnished throughout its length with a row of reversed hooked bristles, easily apparent to the touch; entire upper parts light ashy white, darker on the breast and flanks, lighter on the throat and middle of the abdomen; under-coverts of the tail white; under-coverts of the wing ashy brown; bill and feet dark. Female lighter in all the colors.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 5½ inches; wing, 4½; tail, 2¼ inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. Louisiana, South Carolina (Mr. Audubon); Pennsylvania (Prof. Baird); California (Dr. Heermann).

This remarkable species is easily distinguished from any other North American Swallow by the recurved and stiff bristles of the outer edges of the first primary quills. There is a South American species which has, however, the same character (Cotyle flavigastra).

The present bird considerably resembles that immediately preceding, but is larger, and is quite distinct. It was regarded as a rare southern species, until demonstrated by Professor Spencer F. Baird, then of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to be of frequent occurrence in the interior of that State. Dr. Heermann states that it is not uncommon in California. Ornithologists generally, however, have not noticed it, and in the vicinity of Philadelphia, it has been entirely overlooked, or does not inhabit this district.

II. SUB-FAMILY CYPSELINÆ. THE SWIFTS.

Bill less flattened than in the preceding sub-family, very wide at base, short, curved; wings very long, somewhat falcate, flattened; tail short; legs and toes short, strong; claws strong; general form adapted to very swift and vigorous flight, and the capture of insects on the wing.

I. GENUS CYPSELUS. Illiger, Prodromus, p. 229. (1811.)

APUS. Scopoli. MICROPUS. Wolf.

Bill wide at base, curved; nostrils basal, with large membrane; wings very long; pointed shafts of the primaries strong and rigid; first and second primaries longest; secondaries short; tail moderate, with the shafts of its feathers strong and rigid; legs short, strong; tarsus usually feathered; toes short, strong; claws strong, curved, and sharp; hind toe very short, reversible; general form robust; head broad.

This genus includes about twenty species, which are inhabitants of the countries of the old world, except six American and one Australian species. They are remarkable for great swiftness of flight, and live habitually in the crevices of rocks, in caverns, or in hollow trees. The bird now about to be described is the only species of this genus yet observed within the limits of the United States, the others of this continent being confined to South America.