Rev. H. B. Tristram on the Ornithology of Palestine. 361 



though we may certainly presume on their presence, extending 

 as they do from Europe to Asia Minor, and thence into Persia, 

 as mentioned by De Filippi {' Viaggio,^ p. 346) . Muscicapa luc- 

 tuosa is a summer resident, first noticed by us in Galilee on April 

 23rd ; but though remaining to breed, it is a very scarce bird. 

 Our common Flycatcher, Butalis grisola, was first obtained on 

 the same day, but continued to arrive for three days in great 

 numbers, remaining to breed in all pai'ts of the country, its 

 favourite nesting-places being in the branches of gnarled old 

 trees overhanging the paths. In my journal of May 11th I 

 noted seeing at Safed, in an olive-yard, what I felt sure was a 

 male M. collaris; but I did not obtain it. 



Although the mosquitoes enjoy comparative immunity from 

 the attacks of this most useful group of gnat-catchers, the Hi- 

 rundinidce are indefatigable in making up for the deficiency. The 

 Oriental Chimney-Swallow {Hirundo cahirica, Licht.) remains 

 the whole year, and is found both on the coast (in the maritime 

 plains) and throughout the length of the Jordan valley. No 

 one can observe this bird in the Holy Land without being satis- 

 fied of its distinctness from H. rustica. It is true we -can give 

 no other diagnosis than the difference of coloration on the lower 

 parts, these being chestnut instead of white or brownish-white ; 

 but of the hundreds of swallows of both sexes to be seen 

 throughout the winter, not one of the common sort could be 

 detected. There is neither fading nor intensifying of the chest- 

 nut lower plumage at any time of the year. Specimens shot at 

 all seasons are precisely similar. In spring their numbers rapidly 

 increase; and from the middle of March they become distributed 

 over the whole country, the higher as well as the lower grounds, 

 while along with them appear many of our common species. In 

 the higher grounds, these, perhaps, predominate ; in the lower 

 certainly the H. cahirica is most numerous. I never could 

 detect the two sorts interbreeding, though the nests and eggs 

 are precisely similar. Having no chimneys provided for them, 

 rafters of outhouses, where such can be found, but especially 

 ledges in caves, are the favourite nesting-places ; and I took five 

 nests of the H. cahirica attached to little projecting stones under 

 the vaulted roof of a well in constant use, about two feet from the 



