Barn Swallow at Fort Larned Postcard

A barn swallow perches on on a weathered fence at Fort Larned in Kansas, posing just long enough to be photographed. The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It's a passerine (perching) bird with blue upper parts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas Fort Larned National Historic Site preserves Fort Larned which operated from 1859 to 1878 and was built to protect traffic on the Santa Fe Trail. The fort is located about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) west of Larned, Kansas. With nine historic buildings, the fort survives as one of the best-preserved examples of Indian Wars-period forts. Most of the buildings, including the barracks, commissary, and officers quarters, are furnished to their original appearance.