SWALLOWS. FAMILY HIRUNDINIDÆ
PURPLE MARTIN
Progne subis subis. [Case 5], Fig. 25
Largest of our Swallows. The female is duller above than the male, and below is brownish gray. L. 8.
Range. Nests locally from the Gulf to Canada; winters in the tropics.
Washington, rather common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 14. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 11. Cambridge, formerly locally common S.R., Apl. 20-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, common S.R. Apl. 1-Sept. 5. Glen Ellyn, local S.R., Mch. 23-Sept. 10. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 9.
Fortunate is the man whose hospitality the Martins accept. Their cheery notes and sociability make them the best kind of guests. The Audubon Society will send one plans for a Martin house, and tell one where to place it. Martins nest in May and lay white eggs.
CLIFF SWALLOW
Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons. [Case 6], Fig. 55
The rusty rump is distinctive. L. 6.
Range. Nests locally from Georgia to Canada; winters in the tropics.
Washington, rare S.R., Apl. 10-Sept.—? Ossining, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 12. Cambridge, S.R., much less than formerly. Apl. 28-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 6-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, not common, local S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 16. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 13-Sept. 12.
Cliff Swallow it is in the West, but "Eave" Swallow it should be in the East where the rows of flask-shaped mud nests cluster thick beneath projecting roofs. They prefer unpainted buildings and the modern barn rarely knows them. The white, brown-spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May.
BARN SWALLOW
Hirundo erythrogaster. [Case 5], Fig. 32
Chestnut underparts and a forked tail are the chief characters of this beautiful Swallow. L. 7.
Range. Nests from North Carolina and Arkansas to Canada; winters in the tropics.
Washington, common S.R., more abundant T.V., Mch. 30-Sept. 17. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 15-Sept. 22. Cambridge, common S.R., but fast decreasing, Apl. 20-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch. 30-Sept. 22. Glen Ellyn, S.R., fairly common and increasing. Apl. 7-Sept. 1. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 28-Aug. 31.
Barn Swallows are far more beautiful, more graceful and more companionable than Purple Martins. But while we are erecting special dwellings for the Martins we are making our barns Swallow-proof. A pair of Barn Swallows are not only cheerful neighbors but good investments. Let us make it possible for them to enter the hay-mow. We may even supply shelves as foundations for their open mud nests. The white, spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May.
TREE SWALLOW
Iridoprocne bicolor. [Case 5], Fig. 24
Silky white below and shining bluish green above; young birds are mouse-colored above but below are snowy white, unmarked, as in the adult. L. 6.
Range. Nests chiefly from southern New England northward and winters from South Carolina to Central America.
Washington, common T.V., Mch. 26-May 26; July 8-Oct. 14. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 4-May 26; Aug. 4-Oct. 16. Cambridge, S.R., formerly common, now common only as a migrant, Apl. 5-Oct. 8. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 10-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., rare S.R., Apl. 21-Sept. 8. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 30-Aug. 31.
We see comparatively few Tree Swallows during the spring, but from July to October, as they journey slowly southward, they are the most abundant members of their family. In countless thousands long ropes of Swallows crowd the wayside wires from pole to pole. At night, with others of their tribe, they roost in the marshes.
Tree Swallows they are called because they nest in hollow trees and, like some other hole-nesting birds, they may be induced to occupy nesting-boxes, making a welcome addition to our list of bird tenants. The 4-7 white eggs are laid in May.
BANK SWALLOW
Riparia riparia. [Case 6]. Fig. 54
Note the small size, dull plumage, and breast-band. L. 5¼.
Range. A native of the Old World as well as of the New. In North America nesting from Louisiana and Virginia nearly to the Arctic Circle; winters in the tropics.
Washington, common S.R., more common T.V., Apl. 13-Sept. 19. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 18-Oct. 1. Cambridge, formerly common S.R., Apl. 28-Sept. 1; common T.V. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 6-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, fairly common T.V.; a few S.R., Apl. 22-Sept. 3. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 10-Sept. 25.
The Bank Swallow is a bird of the air who tunnels the earth for a nesting-place. Where river or road has left a bank, its face may be dotted with the entrances to the Bank Swallow's dwellings. At the end of two or three feet the nest of grass and feathers is placed, fit receptacle for the pearl-white eggs, which are usually laid the latter half of May.
During the migrations the Bank Swallow travels with other members of its family, sharing their roost in the marshes by night and their wayside perch by day.
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW
Stelgidopteryx serripennis. [Case 6], Fig. 56
With the general appearance of the Bank Swallow, but slightly larger, grayer below, and with no breast-band. L. 5¾.
Range. Nests from the Gulf States north to Massachusetts and Minnesota: winters in the tropics.
Washington, common S.R., Apl. 2-Sept. 3. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 17-Aug. 12. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 15-Sept. 20. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 14-Aug. 26.
Least common of our Swallows. It nests in small colonies of about half a dozen pairs, sometimes in holes, at others under bridges, crevices in cliffs and similar situations. In the fall, it flocks with other species of its family. Its 4-8 white eggs are laid the latter half of May.