Village Swallows

This is the fourteenth in a series of bulletins of the United States National Museum on the life histories of North American birds, with previous numbers issued as follows: 107, 113, 121, 126, 130, 135, 142, 146, 162, 167, 170, 174, 176. This bulletin deals with the Order Passeriformes, specifically the Family Cotingidae (Cotingas); Family Tyrannidae (Flycatchers) ; Family Alaudidae (Larks) and Family Hirundinidae (Swallows) of North America

The definitive study of North American birds (United States, Canada, Mexico), prepared under auspices of Smithsonian Institution. Contains practically everything known about birds: description, habitat, range, life history, habits, relation to man, etc. These books will never be surpassed in fullness and useability. Indispensable to every serious birds watcher. All are fully illustrated. 78 species. Nesting, plumage, courtship, migration, range, etc. 117 black-and-white photographs.

The Barn Swallow is a familiar and popular bird throughout the world. It is one of the most widely distributed bird species, breeding in North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa and wintering in South America, southern Africa, southern Asia and even northern Australia. Its habit of nesting close to human habitation has made this elegant bird a part of farmyard and village life and a welcome herald of spring. This book examines all aspects of the life of this endearing bird, with chapters on its flying skills and feeding habits, mate choice, breeding strategies, nest sites, eggs and incubation, nestling rearing, productivity and survival, migratory behaviour and population dynamics. It also considers changes in populations and behaviour in relation to intensive agriculture and climate change. The Barn Swallow is both engaging and authoritative; birdwatchers will enjoy amazing insights into the life of the species, such as the importance of tail feathers when finding a mate, or the sinister way that some birds kill of the chicks of rivals. Academic scholars will appreciate the book's broad overview of current research on this species.