554 HIllUNDINJ':. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH GENERA AND SPECIES. 

 GENUS I. HIRUNDO, SWALLOW. 



Bill very short, triangular, opening to beneath the fore part 

 of the eye, the gape-line straight, with a slight notch ; nostrils 

 small, linear -oblong ; wings extremely long and pointed ; tail 

 of twelve feathers, emarginate or forked ; tarsus extremely 

 short, bare or feathered ; the first toe directed backwards, the 

 third much longer than the rest ; claws rather long, arched, 

 acute. 



1. Hirundo rustica. Eed-fronted Swallow. Tail very deeply 

 forked ; upper parts glossy blue ; forehead and throat red ; 

 tail with white spots. 



2. Hirundo ruhica. White-rumped Swallow. Tail deeply 

 forked ; tarsi and toes feathered ; rump white. 



8. Hirundo riparia. Bank Swallow. Tail slightly forked ; 

 upper parts greyish-brown. 



