Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/457

Rh There is considerable diversity in the colouring of the under parts of this bird. Frequently there is a broad band of steel-blue across the neck or fore part of the breast, in other cases this band is narrow, or interrupt- ed in the middle, or wanting, as in the individuals represented in the plate. The rufous colour of the breast, sides and belly varies from red- dish-white in young birds to bright brownish-red in old ones. In the former case it is similar to the colour of the European Chimney Swallow, which, on the other hand, never has those parts so deeply tinted as in the latter case. The bill and feet of the two are precisely similar as are the colours of the upper parts ; but in the European bird, the dark band on the fore part of the breast is much broader, the first and second primaries are almost equal, although the first is longest, and the lateral tail-feathers are more elongated. These differences do not seem to me to be sufficient to distinguish the two birds as species, and the similarity of their habits renders them too nearly allied to be separated with propriety.

The differences in colour between the European Chimney Swallow and the American Barn Swallow, are analogous to those between the Barn Owl of the former and that of the latter country. The Swallows and the Owls may be distinct species ; but I see no reason for separation in the one case more than in the other ; and if the so called Hirundo Americana be distinguished from the H. rustica, the Strix Jlammea ought to be distinguished from the American Owl, which might in that case be named Strix Americana. But let the differences first be shewn.