. X72' 

 NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA DISTT., PUNJAB 



BY ■ ' ' " 



H. Whistler, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. 

 Part II. 



(^Continued from page 681 0/ Volume XX V.) 



813. The Swallow — Hirundo rustica, L. 



This swallow was definitely identified on the folio-wing 

 occasions : — 1 at Ambala on November 1st, 1 near Jagadri on 

 November 3Uth, a party at Ambala on 10th December, 3 at 

 Rupar on 21st March, and a party in Cantonments on 10th 

 April. 



818*. The Wire-tailed Swallow — Hirundo smithii, Leach. 



" I have frequently heard from my late friend Dr. Scott that 

 this swallow occurs in some abundance about Ambala in certain 

 seasons, and breeds there" (Eeavan). 1 met with three only, at 

 Chandishar on 10th November, and at Ambala on 21st and 

 23rd November. It is doubtless a summer resident. 



823. Syke's Striated Swallow — Hirundo erythrojyyia, Sykes. 



Striated swallows were common and generally distributed 

 during my stay in the district, and were probably for the most 

 part if not entirely of this species. Ihe only specimen pre- 

 served proved to bo Sykes Striated Swallow. A few must 

 breed in the district as 1 saw one of their old nests under a 

 culvert. 

 826. The White Wagtail — Motacilla alba, L, 



This common winter visitor had already arrived when J 

 reached the district on the 23rd of October and it continued 

 abundant until my departure on 20th April. It was generally 

 distributed except in the low hills about Kalka and Kasauli 

 where I did not meet with it. 



Beavan has a long note on this species under the name of 

 Motacilla luzionensis in which he gives the dates of its arrival 

 as follows : — 



1863. Ambala. September 8. (Dr. Scott.) 



1864. Sunawar near Kasauli. September 8. (Dr. Scott.) 



1865. Ambala. September 30. "Abundant, have been in 



some days" (Dr. Scott.) 



1866. Ambala. "Sept. 11. Dr. Scott. 



He states also on the authority of Dr. Scott that it leaves 

 Ambala about the end of April. 

 829. The Masked Wagtail — Motacilla jiersonata, Gld. 



A common winter visitor but less numerous than the last 

 species with which it freely consorts. It was observed in the 

 same localities and for the same period. 



831. The Large Pied Wagtail — Motacilla maderaspatensis, Gm. 



One was seen at a masonry tank at Jagadri on 30th Novem- 

 ber, and two more at a shrine near the river at Rupar on 18th 

 December. 



