bank swallow

noun

1. a swallow, Riparia riparia, of the Northern Hemisphere, that nests in tunnels dug in sand or clay banks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bank swallow¹

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

Where river or road has left a bank, its face may be dotted with the entrances to the Bank Swallow's dwellings.

From Project Gutenberg

With the general appearance of the Bank Swallow, but slightly larger, grayer below, and with no breast-band.

From Project Gutenberg

But the holes were too small, and no bird but a bank-swallow would have attempted such a thing.

From Project Gutenberg

The bank swallow and chimney swift are smaller and less conspicuous than the martin, less noisy but quite as useful.

From Project Gutenberg

The bank-swallow is the inventor of this form of tunnel construction.

From Project Gutenberg