Part 28

This is one of the most abundant of the birds of the United States, and known to all classes and ages of the population. It is nearly related to the European House Swallow (_Hirundo rustica_), but can readily be distinguished on comparison. The European is rather the larger, the under-parts are darker, and the collar on the neck in front complete. In the present bird this collar is imperfect, with very rare exceptions.

2. Sub-genus Petrochelidon.

Tail moderate or short, emarginate, but slightly forked.

2. Hirundo lunifrons. Say., Long’s Exp. to the Rocky Mts. II. p. 47. (1823.) The Cliff Swallow. Hirundo opifex. Clinton, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum I. p. 161. (1824.) Hirundo respublicana. Aud., Ann. N. Y. Lyc., I. p. 164. (1824.) “Hirundo fulva. Vieill.” Aud., Orn. Biog. V. p. 415, and Clinton, as above.

Bonap., Am. Orn., 1. pl. 7, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 68, Oct. ed. I. pl. 47; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 30, fig. 64.

Bill very wide at base, short; wings long; tail rather short, emarginate; forehead white, nearly pure in some specimens, but generally tinged with reddish chestnut; head above and back bluish-black, with a purple lustre; plumage of the back usually edged and streaked with grayish white; rump pale chestnut; throat dark brownish chestnut, which color extends upwards and forms a complete collar around the neck behind; lores and large spot on the neck in front black; entire other under-parts ashy-white, tinged with pale chestnut, especially on the breast; under tail coverts with a green lustre, and tipped with pure white; wings and tail brownish-black; bill and feet dark; sexes very nearly alike.

Dimensions. Total length, 5½ inches; wing, 4⅜; tail, 2 inches. Female rather smaller.

Hab. Throughout North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Dr. Heermann); New Mexico (Col. McCall); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Indiana (Rufus Haymond, M. D.); Canada (Dr. Hall).

This handsome species is now well known throughout almost the whole of the United States, but is said to have appeared for the first time in the States on the Atlantic seaboard within the memory of persons now living. It builds a curiously-formed nest of the shape of a gourd, faithfully represented in Mr. Audubon’s plates, cited above.

_Hirundo fulva_, Vieill., is an allied species, but much smaller, and not ascertained to inhabit any part of North America. It is best known as a bird of the Island of Jamaica.

The paper referred to above, in which this bird is named _Hirundo opifex_, possesses additional interest, from the fact that it was written by the late De Witt Clinton, formerly Governor of the State of New York, who had given particular attention to American Natural History.

3. Hirundo bicolor. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, p. 61. (1807.) The White-bellied Swallow. Hirundo viridis. Wilson, Am. Orn. V. p. 44. (1812.) Hirundo leucogaster. Stephens, Gen. Zool. X. p. 106. (1817.)

Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 31; Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. 3; Aud., Birds of Am., pl. 98, Oct. ed. I. pl. 46; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 29, fig. 1.

Wings long, exceeding the tail, pointed; tail deeply emarginate; entire upper parts uniform dark green, changing to blue in some lights, very glossy; wings and tail brownish-black, slightly tinged with green; entire under-parts silky-white, generally with a tinge of cinereous; bill black; feet yellow; sexes alike, but the female with the colors duller.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 5½ inches; wing, 4¾; tail, 2¼ inches.

Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California, Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Northern Ohio (Prof. Kirtland); Long Island (Mr. Giraud).

When in full plumage, this is one of the handsomest of the Swallows of the United States. It is quite abundant everywhere in the States on the Atlantic during the summer.

Specimens from California present some points of difference from the bird of Pennsylvania, being apparently more tinged with blue, and having the bill perhaps slightly large. We regard the two, however, as specifically the same.

4. Hirundo thalassina. Swains., Philos. Mag., 1827, p. 366.

Aud., B. of Am., pl. 385, fig. 4, 5, Oct. ed. I. pl. 49.

Wings long, exceeding the tail, which is rather short and emarginate; entire upper-parts rich grass-green, very glossy, and shaded with purple, especially on the head, and in some specimens approaching to carmine on the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; entire under-parts silky-white, generally with a tinge of cinereous; bill and feet dark. Female, less glossy, and with the purple generally tinged with brown.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 5 inches; wing, 4½; tail, 2 inches. Female, smaller.

Hab. Western North America. Oregon (Townsend); California (Gambel); Mexico (Swainson); New Mexico (Woodhouse).

This is the most beautiful of the North American birds of this family. It is exclusively an inhabitant of the countries west of the Rocky Mountains and of Mexico.

II. GENUS PROGNE. Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971.

Form robust and compact; bill wide at base, compressed suddenly to the tip, rather strong; upper mandible overlapping the under; wings long, pointed; first and second primaries longest; tail moderate, rather wide, usually deeply emarginate; tarsi and feet larger and stronger than usual in this family.

Size, largest of American birds of this family. This genus contains about five or six American species, several of which are nearly related to each other, and not well understood, and probably one other (_Hirundo borbonica_, Gm.), which is a native of Madagascar, and of the Island of Bourbon. All the species, except the last, considerably resemble each other, and are difficult to distinguish in some stages of plumage.

1. Progne purpurea. (Linn.) The Purple-Martin. The House Martin. Hirundo purpurea et subis. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 344. (1766.) Hirundo violacea. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1026. (1788.) Hirundo cœrulea. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 57. (1807.) Hirundo versicolor. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 509. (1817.) Hirundo ludoviciana. Cuv., Reg. An. I. p. 374. (1817.)

Catesby, Carolina I. pl. 51; Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 26, 27; Buff, Pl. Enl. 722; Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 30, fig. 2, 3; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 22, Oct. ed. I. pl. 45; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 28, fig. 61.

Bill moderately wide at base, rather strong, curved; wings reaching about to the end of the tail, which is deeply emarginate; legs short; toes rather long. Male.—Entire plumage above and below deep black, with a purple and blue silky lustre; quills and tail less lustrous, and in many specimens plain brownish-black; bill and feet black. Female. Upper-parts same as in the male, but paler; under-parts ashy-brown, dark on the throat and breast; paler and sometimes nearly white on the abdomen; under tail coverts dark brown, every feather edged with ashy-white.

Dimensions. Total length, male, 7½ inches; wing, 5¾; tail, 3 inches. Female slightly smaller.

Hab. Eastern North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Florida (Mr. John Lee Williams).

In mature plumage, a beautiful species. This bird is common throughout the eastern United States, and comes with much punctuality in the spring to take possession of the boxes prepared for its accommodation in the rural districts, and occasionally in the cities. Our esteemed friend, Mr. Thomas Fisher, an eminent mathematician of this city, has been annually visited by a colony of this species for several years, though his residence is in one of the most dense parts of Philadelphia.

This bird is nearly allied to several species of South America and the West Indies. In fact, the genus _Progne_ is one of the most difficult of the family of Swallows.

2. Progne chalybea. (Gmelin.) The Western Martin. Hirundo chalybea. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1026. (1788.)

Buff, Pl. Enl. 545, fig. 2.

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.

1. Cypselus melanoleucus. Baird, Proc. Acad., Phila., VII. p. 118. (1854.)

Not figured.

Wings very long, exceeding the tail; second primary longest; first primary tapering towards the end; secondaries short, obliquely incised at their ends; tail moderate, emarginate; shafts of the tail-feathers very stiff at their bases; tarsi and toes feathered, short, and very strong; entire plumage above dark fuliginous, paler on the head, nearly black on the back and rump; throat, breast, wide longitudinal stripe down the middle of the abdomen, and large spot on the flank, pure white; sides and under-coverts of the tail dark fuliginous, which is also the color of the plumage of the tibiæ, tarsi, and toes; wings and tail dark fuliginous; secondaries tipped with white; wings at the shoulders edged with white; under-wing-coverts ashy fuliginous; claws light-colored.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, from tip of bill to end of tail, about 5½ inches; wing, 5½; tail, 2½ inches. Female very nearly the same.

Hab. New Mexico (Dr. Kennerly, Dr. Heermann).

Only noticed, as yet, by the two naturalists just mentioned. This is a handsome bird, and an interesting addition to the ornithology of the United States, being the first species of the genus _Cypselus_ discovered within our limits. According to the gentlemen above mentioned, this bird habitually frequents the crevices in rocks, in which it builds its nest and rears its young. Its flight is represented to be exceedingly rapid and long-continued.

This bird is evidently of the same group of species as _Cypselus montivagus_, D’Orbigny, Voyage dans L’Amerique Meridionale, Ois., p. 357, pl. 42, fig. 1 (Paris, 1844), which inhabits the mountains of Bolivia. The white stripe down the middle of the abdomen distinguishes the present bird.

II. GENUS ACANTHYLIS. Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971.

CHÆTURA. Stephens. HIRUNDAPUS. Hodgson.

General characters similar to the last genus, but with the shafts of the tail-feathers prolonged beyond the webs, and forming strong thorn-like points; tarsi and toes naked; bill small, curved, wide at base; wings long; tail usually short; legs short, rather slender; claws curved, strong; general form plump and robust. Of this genus there are about fifteen species, two only of which are known to inhabit the United States, though several are natives of South America. Like the birds of the preceding genus, they possess great rapidity of flight, and live in similar situations.

1. Acanthylis pelasgia. (Linn.) The Chimney Bird. The American Swift. Hirundo pelasgia. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 345. (1766.) Hirundo cerdo. Bartram, Trav., p. 292. (1791.) Barton, Frag., p. 18. “Cypselus acutus. Temm., Mus. Lugd.” Bonap., Consp. Av., p. 64.

Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 33; Wilson, Am. Orn., V. pl. 39, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 58, Oct. ed., I. pl. 44; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 27, fig. 58.

Wings very long, extending beyond the tail, flattened, somewhat falcate; shafts of primaries rigid; tail short; exserted spines sharp, elastic; tarsi and toes naked; entire plumage above and below fuliginous brown, darkest on the upper parts, and with a slight greenish lustre on the head and back (in mature specimens), much paler on the throat and neck before; quills dark fuliginous; tail lighter; spot in front of the eye black, a very narrow superciliary line ashy-white; shafts and spines of the tail-feathers black; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length, male, from tip of bill to end of tail, 4¾ to 5 inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 1¾ inches. Female very nearly the same.

Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Florida (Mr. Williams); Indiana (Dr. Haymond); Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, California (Dr. Woodhouse).

The Chimney bird is abundant in all the States on the Atlantic, and, according to Dr. Woodhouse, equally so in Texas. It possesses powers of sustaining protracted and rapid flight, perhaps not equalled by any other bird of North America, though characteristic in some measure of all the birds of this family. In Europe, birds of genera nearly allied to the present have received the name of “Swifts” from this fact.

2. Acanthylis Vauxii. (Townsend.) Vaux’s Swift. Cypselus Vauxii. Towns., Jour. Acad., Philada., VIII. p. 148. (1839.)

Not figured.

Smaller than the preceding, but very similar to it in form and general appearance; wings very long, exceeding the tail, which is short; exserted spines of the tail-feathers sharp, slender, and not so rigid as in the preceding species; tarsi and toes rather slender, naked; plumage above fuliginous brown, lighter on the rump and upper tail-coverts, darker, and tinged with greenish on the head and back; quills dark fuliginous, with a greenish lustre; tail lighter fuliginous; under-parts pale fuliginous, nearly white on the throat, darkest on the abdomen; shafts and spines of the tail-feathers black; bill and feet dark.

Dimensions. Total length of skin, sex unknown, 4¼ inches; wing, 4½; tail, 1½ inches.

Hab. Columbia River, Oregon (Dr. Townsend).

This species, though apparently totally distinct from the common Chimney bird of the United States, has never been noticed since its discovery by Dr. Townsend. It is probably a bird exclusively inhabiting the countries west of the Rocky Mountains. The original specimen brought by Dr. Townsend remains unique in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy.

The name of this species was given in honor of Mr. William S. Vaux, of this city, and is a just compliment to one of the most active and valuable members of the Academy.

B. OBSCURE AND DOUBTFUL SPECIES OF THIS FAMILY.

1. Hirundo unalaschkensis. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1025. (1788.) Hirundo aoonalaschkensis. Lath., Ind. Orn., II. p. 577. (1790.)

Originally described by Latham from a specimen in the Leverian Museum, as follows:—

“Length four inches and a half; bill very short, dusky; the plumage above dull black, without gloss; beneath and sides of the head dusky ash color, the last darkest; rump dirty white; tail forked, each feather round at the end; legs dusky. Inhabits Aoonalashka.” Gm., Syn. II. p. 571.

This species is unknown to ornithologists of the present day, and from the above description and the evident similarity of the bird to other small species of this family, would not be recognized without difficulty, unless obtained in the locality as given. It appears to belong to the genus _Collocalia_, Gray, a very remarkable group of small Swallows, that inhabit caves, and are found in several islands in the Pacific Ocean. A species of this genus is the Esculent Swallow of authors (_Collocalia esculenta_), the nests of which are so highly esteemed as an article of food by the Chinese, and are the principal constituent in the somewhat celebrated “Bird’s-nest soup,” a prominent feature in Chinese entertainments. It is probable, too, that the nests of other species of these birds are used for the same purpose.

No species of the genus alluded to has been discovered on the continent of America, nor in either of the American islands, except the above.

2. Hirundo phenicephala. Rafinesque, Annals of Nature, p. 4. (Lexington, Kentucky, 1820.)

“Head scarlet; back grey; belly white; bill and feet black. A fine and rare Swallow, seen only once by Mr. Audubon, near Hendersonville, in Kentucky; it must have been a wanderer, and is probably a native of Louisiana or Mexico.”

“Head scarlet”—enough said; Professor Rafinesque brings our ornithological ideas to a stand immediately. We never heard of a Swallow with the head of that color, exactly. But as Mr. Audubon’s name is brought in as authority, we think it possible that the bird alluded to in this description may have been a straggling specimen of a South American species, which has the head of a rufous color (_Cortyle fucata_, Temm., Pl. Col. 161, fig. 1). Rafinesque apparently gave his description and name without ever having seen the bird, or made further inquiry, and probably misunderstood or partly forgot the statement of Mr. Audubon respecting the color of the head.