Ornltholvgy of the Maiopo District. 539 



favoured by this Swallow ensure successful rearing' of 

 broods, and the number of young and old birds ready 

 for migration in February is astounding. On such occasions 

 I have noticed many H. rustlca flying in their company, 

 but observed tliat, whereas on resting, these resorted 

 to trees, H. puella evidently preferred rocks. 



125. Hirundo semirufa. Rufous-breasted Swallow. 



The Red-breasted Swallow, unlike the last species, prefers 

 the open country to the hills, and is a plentiful summer 

 visitor with us. I noticed it on November 30, 1910, 

 August 6, 1911, and from January 16 to May 27, 1912. 

 The migrations of this Swallow seem to coincide with those 

 of H. puella, and one has the same difficulty in accounting 

 for their appearances during the dry season. In 1912, the 

 majority left on or aboiit February 28, but there were 

 stragglers present up to tlie 29th of the following month, 

 and I even took fresh eggs as late as the 1st of March. The 

 occurrence of one at Bedza in May was exceptional. I found 

 no less than seven nests of this Swallow, and all were iu 

 aut-bears' holes. The following are the data : — 



The eggs were in every case pure white, and showed 

 a minimum length of 22 x l(r5 mm. and a maximum of 

 24'5 X 15*5 mm. over the series. 



The nest of this Swallow is attached to the roof of the 

 hole, and is usually beyond reaching distance from the 

 surface — every nest which [ found had to be dug out. 

 Although the nest is usually attached to a flat surface, it is 

 nevertheless built to fit inequalities upon occasion. A nest 



SER. X. VOL. III. 2 o 



