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Range (North America north) (III)

North America, north to Greenland and Alaska; breeds throughout the greater part of its range; winters as far south as southern Brazil. Washington, common S. R., more abundant T. V., Mch. 28 to Sept. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 15 to Sept. 22. Cambridge, common S. R., but fast decreasing, Apl. 20 to Sept. 10.

Nest, of mud and grasses, lined with grasses and feathers, generally on the rafter of a barn or other building. Eggs, four to six, white, with numerous spots of cinnamon-, olive-, or rufous-brown, generally smaller than those on the eggs of P. lunifrons, 77 x 54.

Barn Swallows nest both in pairs and colonies, and during the breeding season are more generally distributed than any of our Swallows. Almost every old-fashioned barn with its great doors hospitably opened is cheered by their sweet call-notes and happy twittering song as they dart in and out on their errands of love. Barn Swallows take first rank among a family of birds famous for their power of flight. While their relatives are circling about feeding on insects in the air above, they capture their prey nearer the ground, skimming low over the fields, turning quickly to right or left, up or down, and pursuing their erratic course with marvelous ease and grace. Im. 614. Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill.). TREE SWALLOW; WHITE-