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.