Nothing distinctive is recorded as to the habits of this bird.
Petrochelidon, Cab. Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 47. (Type, Hirundo melanogaster, Swains. = P. swainsoni, Scl.)
Petrochelidon lunifrons.
18322
Gen. Char. Bill stout and deep, somewhat as in Progne. Nostrils entirely superior, open, without overhanging membrane on the inner (or upper) side, but somewhat overhung by short bristles, seen also along base of inner mandible and in chin. Legs stout; the tarsi short, not exceeding the middle toe exclusive of its claw; feathered all round for basal third or fourth, though no feathers are inserted on the posterior face. Tail falling short of the closed wings, nearly square or slightly emarginate; the lateral feathers broad to near the ends, and not attenuated.
Of this genus as restricted we have but one species in North America, although several others occur in the West Indies and the southern parts of the continent. All have the back steel-blue, with concealed streaks of white; the rump, crissum, and a narrow nuchal band, and usually the forehead, chestnut.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, Baird.
CLIFF SWALLOW; EAVE SWALLOW.
Hirundo lunifrons, Say, Long’s Exp. II, 1823, 47 (Rocky Mts.).—Cassin; Brewer, N. A. Ool. I, 1857, 94, pl. v, No. 68.73 (eggs).—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 309.—Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 317 (Panama R. R.; winter).—Verrill, Pr. Bost. N. H. Soc. 1864, 276 (migration and history).—Lord, Pr. R. A. Inst. Woolwich, IV, 1864, 16 (Br. Col.; nesting).—Cooper & Suckley, P. R. R. XII, II, 184 (Wash. Terr.).—Dall & Bannister, 279 (Alaska).—Cooper, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 104.—Samuels, 256. Petrochelidon l. Baird, Review, 1864, 288. H. opifex, Clinton, 1824. H. respublicana, Aud. 1824. H. fulva, Bon. (not of Vieillot).—Aud. Orn. Biog. I, pl. lviii.—Ib. Birds Am. I, pl. xlvii.—Maxim. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 100.