538 Mr. L. B. Mouritz on the 



promptitude with wliicli this Swallow will appear in winter, 

 directly we get some mild weather, is marvellous. The 

 natives say that they hibernate in holes, but of course this 

 cannot be taken seriously. The following excerpts from 

 my 1912 diary bearing upon occurrences after the breeding 

 season are of interest : — 



Although the great majority liave left, there are still a few 



remaining here and there. 

 Several still aljout. 

 One. 

 A small party of these Swallows and RIparia ciiicta flying 



N.W. at sunset. 

 A solitary one in Matondo's valley. 



Solitary one flitting about lethargically on Makalanyoni. 

 A party of ten at Inengwe flying in company with two or 



three Rock-Martins. It is curious to remark the sudden 



advent of these Swallows directly the hot weather 



starts 

 28 ,, A pair round Inungii. 



1 Sept. Two close to the Terminus Hotel. 



3 „ Two round Njongi, flitting lazily about. 



Unfortunately I left the district three days later ; but 

 there seems little doubt that the concluding notes herald 

 the arrival of the breeding birds. In the nesting season 

 this Swallow is practically confined to the kopje-country, 

 and therein they affix their tunnel-entranced, mud-con- 

 structed nests to some overhanging rock or to the roof of a 

 cave. Usually gregarious, single pairs not infrequently nest 

 away from the main bodies, and I have found solitary nests 

 in most unexpected places — in fact, practically anywhere, 

 from the top of a kopje to its base, some being placed out of 

 reach, whilst others were only a few inches or feet from the 

 ground. The main bodies, however, almost invariably nest 

 in inaccessible situations. The nest itself, in addition to 

 its smaller size, may readily be distinguished from that of 

 H. cucullata by the diminutiveness of the "dagga" pellets, 

 and the consequent smoother general appearance. In 

 common with those of its congeners, the nests are lined 

 with feathers. The inaccessibility of the nesting-'sites 



