sent by Arcó in 1869. AU McLeannan’s specimens are young birds just commencing to
don their glossy blue plumage, but the date of their capture is not recorded. Two of
Arcé’s specimens are in a similar plumage, hut one is quite adult. Besides these birds
we have examined one fuUy plumaged specimen from the “ Valley of Aragua,” wherever
that may he. Such is the locality attached to the skin by tho late Mr. G. 11. Gray.
Our records from Colombia are few. An adult from Bogotá is in the Sclater collection
; and Mr. Wyatt writes:—“ We did not observe this species in the Magdalena valley;
and it seems to be a bird of the ‘ tierra templada; ’ its upward range, so far as our
observations went, terminates at an altitude of about 8000 feet. It was a common bird
at Ocaña, in the Cordillera, and might generally be seen with Progne tapera on the roof
of our house.”
A female from Erontino, in Antioquia, obtained by the late T. K. Salmon, is in the
Salvin-Godman collection.
Mr. Goering sent a young male in first moult from Puerto Cabello in Venezuela,
shot in June, and further to the east Mr. Henry Whitely met with the species in British
Guiaua. He procured two young hirds in brown plumage with a few blue feathers
appearing, on the 6th and 8th of May, 1882, and two fully plumaged birds on lloraima
on the 23rd of November and the 10th of December, 1881.
From Ecuador we have examined quite a series, both old and young birds, from
Mr. Gould’s collectiou, probably all from the neiglibourhood of Quito. Fully adult birds
from Sical and Chiquinda, obtained by the late C. Buckley, are in the Salvin-Godman
collection. Mr. Eraser met with the species at Riobamba, Pallatanga, Quito, in JEay,
“ common in and about the city,” and at Nanegal and Perucho, where it was “ common
and building in the roofs.”
In Peru, Tschudi states that they are seldom fouud as high as the Sierra region, aud
he has noticed their nests in hollow trees. Dr. Taczanowski, who has described the
Peruvian collections of Jelski and Stolzmann, has recorded both old and young hirds
from that country and gives the following localities:—Lima, Aimable Maria, Tambillo,
Nov. 22; Pacasmayo, June l-I; Callacate, May 22; Iluamho, April 5. Tlie following
specimens are in the British Museum from Mr. II. Whitely’s Peruvian collections;—
Cosnipata, adults, Eebruary and September; Arequipa, adults in June, and young in
February; Cosnipata, adults in Eebruary, March, and September; and Chanchamayo,
young ill first moult, in August and September, li e also met with it at Maranura, north
of Cuzco. If one may read the history of the species in Peru from the specimens before
us, it would seem that two broods at least must be reared, and that some young birds
are beginning to moult in August and September, others not till Eebruary. The old
birds are in very worn plumage in Eebruary, and are moulting in March. After completing
the moult they arc probably breeding by June, to judge hy the worn plumage,
and do not quit the couutry at all.
Au adult specimen was obtained by Mr. Bridges in Bolivia, with totally black under
tail-coverts, and an adult bird from Cangalli, in the province of Yungas, collected by
Mr. C. Buckley, agrees with the latter ; but a specimen from “ Bolivia ” in the ScMer
collection is of the Jl. patagónica type, with the basal under tail-coverts white. D’Orbigny
met with it in the pro\n.nce of Moxos.
Erom the Upper Amazons we have not seen many specimens, and young birds were
procured by Mr. E. Bartlett on the Ucayali Biver, as well as at Santa, Ohyayetas, and
Yurimaguas. Mr. Bartlett states that it does not breed on the Upper Amazon.
In Brazil it is apparently widely distributed, and the birds all have entirely black
under tail-coverts. Wo have seen both young and old birds from tliis country, so that the
species probably breeds there. Mr. Graham mot with it at Para; and in his notes from
Pernambuco the late Mr. W. A. Porbes writes “ I did not bring home any specimens of
tills Swallow, tho only one I shot having been too much damaged to skin ■, I have, however,
Uttle doubt that this is the species I met with, as I continually saw it in numbers,
and was able to examine it often through my flold-glasses. It was very abundant at
Cabo, and might bo seen there sitting in numbers, particularly iu the mormng, ou tho
telegraph-wires of the railway opposite Mr. Hood’s house; I also saw it at Parahylia
and Garanhuns, perched on the roofs and eaves of the churches, and therefore not to he
shot at with impunity. In Becife, ou the otlier hand, I never saw it at all, though
H. leucorrhoa abounded there.”
Satterer mot with the species at Bio de Janeiro in August and September, and at
Ypanema in June, July, and Dceemhcr. He says that it frequents houses, and nests
under the eaves, affecting buildings in towns as well as isolated houses iu the country.
It stays at Ypanema throughout the year, but was not scon in Cuyaba. Dr. Lund
fouud it in Minas Geraes, and procured a young specimen at Lagoa Santa on the 12th
of January, wliich was beginning to put on its full plumage.
Prince Neuwied w r i t e s “ This dainty Swallow I have only encountered in the
southern parts of Brazil. In Bio de .Taneiro it is particularly common, and frequently
nests in the buildings. It also flies over the meadows, pasturages, and woods, and is
found in abundance in the towns and dwellings, where it takes the place of our Martin
{Hirundo nrbica). In the month of August it begins to nest in Bio do Janeiro. The
nest is simple, and consists merely of a tew straws thrown together on a beam under the
roof; two eggs are found in it.”
It was originally found by Azara iu Paraguay; and in Mr. Barrows’ notes from
Uruguay he writes as follows i—
“ This siiecies was fii-st seen at Concepcion on the Ith of September, 1880, when it
was observed in considerable numbers, associated with II. leucorrhoa, from which it was
easily distinguished by its smaUer size and the absence of the white rump. Eor nearly
six weeks it was observed here from time to time, but after October 20th it was not
noted, until at Azul it was found in large fiocks on the 27th of January, 1881, seemingly
ready to migrate northward. It was seen, however, at Bahia Blanca, a few days later,
and then almost daily until March 2Sth at Puan, after which it was not again observed.
Of its brceding-habits I know nothing.”