1903 Ouj- Common Wild Birds 221 



The Swallow {Hirundo rusticd) is one of those birds of 

 sparrow size which in the summer months we notice all 

 day long rapidly flying up and down the streets, along the 

 face of the houses or over the fields, sometimes skimming 

 along close to the ground, rapidly twisting and turning 

 about in everlasting pursuit of flies. Two or three different 

 species of birds addicted to this habit will sure to be 

 noticed, and they are all swallows to the careless observer. 

 But a near view of the true swallow soon reveals its 

 " points." The outside feathers of its forked tail are pro- 

 longed into streamers. The general appearance of the bird 

 when on the wing is bluish black, but a near view of the 

 bird, say, as it sits twittering upon the telegraph wires, shows 

 us the light-coloured under parts and chestnut-red forehead 

 and throat. 



The Martin {Chelidon urbicd) is the bird most likely to 

 be confounded with the swallow, especially if we rely upon 

 our friends for information about birds. It is the martin 

 and not the swallow that builds its nest of mud under the 

 eaves of houses. (The swallow usually nests inside build- 

 ings.) It also has a forked tail, but without the long 

 streamer feathers, and as it flits up and down over the 

 street, or skims the surface of pond or river, its most notice- 

 able characteristic is the brilliant white rump which, in con- 

 trast with the otherwise black plumage, is so conspicuous in 

 flight that the bird, seen from above or on a level with the 

 eye, looks like a moving white spot. The sharp call-note 

 " fritz " is quite different to the " chillip " of the swallow. 



The Sand-Martin (Cotile riparid) is the smallest of the 

 birds commonly called swallows, and as it chiefly haunts 

 sandy cliffs and river banks, where it burrows its nest holes, 

 it is easily identified by these habits, its smaller size, and 

 brown colour. 



The Swift {Cypselus apus) is much larger than either of 

 the three last birds, and although not related to the swallow 

 family, superficially it is much like one of them. Very long 

 pointed, curved wings give this bird a crescent form as it 

 alternately sails through the air or rapidly vibrates its wings 

 in flight. It has been well described as resembling, when 

 on the wing, a bent bow with the arrow in position. It 



