H1IUTN DIXIT) y"E. 



267 





Fig. 72. — Hirundo erythropygia. 



Family HIRUNDINIM3. 



The intrinsic muscles of the syrinx fixed to the ends of the 

 bronchial seuii-rings ; the edges of both mandibles perfectly 

 smooth, with a single notch or the indication of one in the upper ; 

 the hinder part of the tarsus longitudinally bilaminated, the 

 laminae entire and smooth ; wing with nine primaries, the first and 

 second nearly equal ; bill flat, broad and triangular when viewed 

 from above ; gape very wide ; the longest secondaries reaching to 

 about the middle of the wing ; front of tarsus smooth ; rectrices 

 twelve: sexes alike; a moult in the spring only; young very 

 similar to the adult ; rictal bristles weak. 



The Swallows form a well-defined group of birds remarkable for 

 their great powers of flight, the whole of their food, which consists 

 of small insects, being caught on the wing. Many of the Swallows 

 migrate vast distances, others are resident, and some species are 

 confined to small areas. 



