Chapter III: GENUS COTYLE. Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 350

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.

II. SUB-FAMILY CYPSELINÆ. THE SWIFTS.

Bill less flattened than in the preceding sub-family, very wide at base, short, curved; wings very long, somewhat falcate, flattened; tail short; legs and toes short, strong; claws strong; general form adapted to very swift and vigorous flight, and the capture of insects on the wing.