Hirundo pelagica, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758, 192. Hirundo pelasgia, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 345.—Wils. Am. Orn. V, 1812, 48, pl. xxxix, fig. 1. Cypselus pelasgia, Aud. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 329; V, 419, pl. clviii. Chætura pelasgia, Stephens, in Shaw’s Gen. Zoöl. Birds, XIII, II, 1825, 76.—Ib. Birds America, I, 1840, 164, pl. xliv.—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 144.—Samuels, 116.—Allen, Birds Fla. 301. Acanthylis pelasgia, “Temm.”—Bon. Consp. 1850, 64.—Cassin, Ill. I, 1855, 241. Hemiprocne pelasgia, Streubel, Isis, 1848, 363. Aculeated Swallow, Penn. Arc. Zoöl. II, 1785, 432. Cypselus pelasgius, Max. Cab. Journ. 1858.
Chætura pelagica.
Sp. Char. Tail slightly rounded. Sooty-brown all over, except on the throat, which becomes considerably lighter from the breast to the bill. Above with a greenish tinge; the rump a little paler. Length, 5.25; wing, 5.10; tail, 2.15.
Hab. Eastern United States to slopes of Rocky Mountains?
The etymology of the specific name of pelasgia, used by Linnæus, of this bird, in the twelfth edition of Systema Naturæ, has always been a question. We find that the word in the tenth edition is pelagica, referring probably to the supposed passage over the Caribbean Sea in its annual migrations.
Chætura vauxi, the western representative of this bird, is extremely similar, but distinguishable by considerably smaller size, much lighter, almost white, throat, paler rump, and under parts decidedly lighter than the back. C. poliura, which much resembles it, is blacker above, and much darker below. (See synopsis on page 1027.)
Habits. The common Chimney Swallow of North America has an extended range throughout the eastern portions of the continent, from the Atlantic to the 50th parallel of northern latitude. It was not met with by Dr. Richardson in the fur regions, but was found by Say at Pembina, on
the Red River, in what is now the northern part of Minnesota. Its western range is not well determined, but is presumed to be terminated by the great plains. It has been found as far west as Bijoux Hill, in Nebraska.
In its habits, especially during the breeding-season, this Swift presents many remarkable differences from the European species. While the latter are shy and retiring, shunning the places frequented by man, and breeding chiefly in caves or ruined and deserted habitations, their representatives in eastern North America, like all the Swallow family here, have, immediately upon the erection of the dwellings of civilized life, manifested their appreciation of the protection they afford, by an entire change in their habits in regard to the location of their nests. When the country was first settled, these birds were known to breed only in the hollow trunks of forest trees. The chimneys of the dwellings of civilized communities presented sufficient inducements, in their greater convenience, to tempt this bird to forsake their primitive breeding-places. The change in this respect has been nearly complete. And now, in the older portions of the country, they are not known to resort to hollow trees for any other purpose than as an occasional roosting-place.