80 



FISSIROSTRES DIURNI, 



SUB-FAMJLY J J. 



HiRUXDINIX.E. 



The Swallo 



ws 2)ro2)er. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill short, more or less depressed, with the ^ape '^f ry wide, 

 and the sides gradually compressed towards the tip ; the nostrils basal, 

 lateral, and rounded ; the wings lengthened, with the first quill the longest ; 

 the tail more or less forked ; the tarsi short, generally naked and scutel- 

 lated ; the toes usually long and slender ; and the 'claws moderate and 

 slightly curved. 



-^ssatv'r^' 



Fig. 31. — the swallow. 

 ' (Ilirundo rustica.) 



Numerous species of birds belonging to this sub- 

 family are distributed throughout most parts of both 

 hemispheres^ migrating from clime to clime, in 

 search of their insect-food. When about to remove 

 to a country of more genial temperature, they collect 

 in immense flocks, and may be observed congre- 

 gating upon trees, or on the roofs of houses, and 

 other high buildings, before their departure ; at 

 other times they frequent the neighbourhood of 

 lakes, rivers, and ponds, over which they fly in small 



