For the record, most, if not all, Cave Swallows seen in the northeast in the 
fall are the southwestern (Mexican) subspecies P. f. pelodoma with 
peach-colored throat and rump.   The West Indian race, P. f. fulva, which you can see at 
Cutler Ridge south of Miami FL, has a darker throat and a clearly darker rump, 
approaching chestnut.   The bird with a darker throat in Dave's photos has a 
peach-colored rump just like the others and is probably also from Mexico, 
representing a minor variation in plumage.   Incidentally, Paul Lehman has studied 
this late-season appearance of Cave Swallows in the northeast and found a 
clear-cut pattern of weather that accounts for their being here.   Warm, moist, 
air from the Pacific frequently passes over northern Mexico, Texas, and the 
Gulf states and sweeps up along the Appalachians.   When this occurs during the 
southward migration of many western birds such as Cave Swallows, Ash-throated 
Flycatchers and numerous Hummingbird species, the migrants can be swept along 
with the air mass and deposited in the northeast.   Then, when a cold front 
moves in, some of these birds, particularly Cave Swallows that feed in the air, 
are pushed along by the cold front.   We saw that yesterday morning at Black 
Hill.   As the cold air moved in, the Swallows moved off to the southwest with 
the front.   After that, natural collection points such as Cape May or Point 
Lookout or Kiptopeke are the places to look for them.   Ned Brinkley reported 
30-40 at Kiptopeke yesterday.   We are gradually learning how the weather brings 
us interesting birds such as the Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds in MD 
earlier this month and the Cave Swallows this weekend.   It seems that birds take 
the easy way and go with the wind.   Wait long enough and everything will come 
to you.   You should live so long.

Paul O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co., MD
301-424-6491


In a message dated 11/28/04 8:21:14 PM,  writes:


> Nice photos Dave,
> 
> It may be the lighting or the angle, but the second photo down and left
> looks like a southwestern Cliff Swallow, seems to show alot of rust in the
> throat.  Any thoughts?
> 
> Hans
> 
> >
> >Some photos of John Hubbell's wonderful Cave Swallows at Little Seneca Res.
> >are at:
> >
> >http://odolep.com/midatlantic%20birds/Cave_Swallow_mont2.jpg
> >
> 
> 
> 
> Hans Holbrook
> 
> 443 864 8361
> Columbia, MD
>