42 NATURAL HISTORY. 



in number, are oval in shape, and when fresh and unblown are 

 of a delicate pink tinge, but are glossless white when much incu- 

 bated. They measure 1*25 inches in length by about 1 in breadth. 

 I have often found two pairs of birds using the same hole, and fresh 

 and incubated eggs are often found together. 



84. — Hirundo filifera : Steph. 

 The Wire-tailed Swallow, t > my thinking the handsomest of the 

 Hirundines, breeds from the latter part of February to April, and 

 again in August and September. The nest, composed of pellets 

 of mud, is lined just with a few grass roots, and then with a 

 plentiful supply of soft feathers. The nest is deep saucer-shaped, 

 and is placed under the cornice of a bridge, in a niche in a well, 

 under a culvert, or even under a projecting cliff, always near water. 

 The eggs, three in number, are longish ovals pointed at one 

 -end, of a glossy white colour, richly speckled with different shades 

 of reddish brown. They average 0*72 inches in length by about 

 0*53 in breadth. If the eggs are taken when fresh, the birds will 

 lay a second, and if these are taken, a third batch in the same nest. 



85. — Hirundo erythropygia : Sykes. 

 The Red-rumped Swallow breeds during the months of June and 

 July. The nest, composed of pellets of mud, lined with feathers, is 

 retort-shaped, and is usually built under bridges or culverts, but I 

 found one nest under a stone slab, projecting over a well. The 

 eggs, three in number, are pure white oval*, measuring 0-79 inches 

 in length by about 0"56 in breadth. 



89 — Colyle sinemis : I. E. Gr. 



The Indian Sand Martin breeds during February and March 

 in holes in banks. These hole j , from two to three feet deep accord- 

 ing to the nature of the soil, are excavated by the birds them- 

 selves. The nest, composed of grass, is well lined with soft 

 ftathers, and contains generally three pure white oval eggs, measur- 

 ing 068 inches in length by 0-48 in breadth. 



90. — Piyonoprogne concolor : Sykes. 



The Dusky Crag Martin breeds during March and April, and 

 ao-ain in July and August. The nest, composed of pellets of mud, 

 well lined with feathers, is deep saucer-shaped, and is generally 

 affixed to the side of a house, under shelter of the eaves. The eggs, 

 three in number, are white, spotted and blotched with red and 

 yellowish brown. They measure 0*72 inches in length by about 0'52 

 in breadth. 



